Rapamycin mitigates organ damage by autophagy-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome inactivation in sepsis

Autophagy activation can alleviate sepsis-induced organ injuries. Rapamycin (Rap) has emerged as an autophagy regulator in multiple forms of organ injuries. This study aimed to assess whether Rap protects rats from cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis through autophagy-mediated inactivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Rats were allocated to the sham, CLP, Rap (10 mg/kg), or 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) (15 mg/kg) groups. A rat CLP model was established. The survival of rats and lung wet-to-dry weight ratio in each group was assessed. Blood biochemical indexes and oxidative stress-related factors were analyzed with an automatic biochemical analyzer. The bacterial counts of blood and organs were monitored. The degrees of myeloperoxidase of the ileum, inflammation-related indexes, and pathological changes in the tissues were detected by ELISA and hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy-related factors were analyzed by Western blot. Rap increased the survival and SOD activity, and repressed ALT, AST, BUN, SCr, MDA, and inflammation-related marker levels in CLP rats, it also restrained the bacterial counts of blood, lung, liver, and kidney in CLP rats; the effects of 3-MA on CLP rats on the above-mentioned indicators were opposite to those of Rap. Additionally, Rap alleviated the pathological injury of the lung, liver, and kidney, which was the opposite to the effect of 3-MA on CLP rats. Furthermore, Rap mitigated the ASC, Pro-caspase 1, and NLRP3 levels and increased the Beclin-1 levels and the LC3II/LC3I ratio in the organ tissues. Collectively, autophagy activation can mitigate organ damage by suppressing the NLRP3 inflammasome in sepsis rats.