Ginkgolide B Alleviates Airway Inflammation in Hyperoxia Lung Injury

Xuesong Wang1, Mingwu Chen1, Yong Lv1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.

Insights

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) drives lung inflammation in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Ginkgolide B (GB) inhibits PAF-activated neutrophils, reducing lung damage in a neonatal rat model, suggesting a potential therapy for BPD.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal research
  • Pulmonology
  • Inflammation research

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in preterm infants, often involving inflammation due to prolonged hyperoxia.
  • Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is a known inflammatory mediator, but its specific role in BPD pathogenesis remains unclear.
  • This study investigates Ginkgolide B (GB), a PAF receptor antagonist, as a potential therapeutic agent for hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) in neonatal lung inflammation associated with Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).
  • To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Ginkgolide B (GB), a PAF receptor antagonist, in mitigating hyperoxia-induced lung injury.
  • To explore the mechanisms by which PAF contributes to neutrophil activation and lung damage in a BPD model.

Main Methods:

  • Observed platelet and neutrophil activation markers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from BPD patients.
  • Measured PAF levels in peripheral blood and BALF, and analyzed BALF supernatant for inflammatory cytokines.
  • Stimulated neutrophils in vitro with PAF to assess inflammatory gene expression.
  • Utilized a neonatal rat model of hyperoxia-induced lung injury, treating with Ginkgolide B (GB).

Main Results:

  • BPD patients exhibited early platelet and neutrophil activation, with elevated PAF and myeloperoxidase-DNA (MPO-DNA) in plasma.
  • PAF stimulation in vitro upregulated IL-6 mRNA in neutrophils and altered CD62L expression.
  • BALF from BPD infants showed increased levels of PAF, IL-6, IL-8, and GM-CSF.
  • GB treatment significantly reduced lung damage in hyperoxia-exposed rats, decreasing neutrophil-derived IL-6 and inhibiting the IL-6/Jak2/Stat3 signaling pathway.

Conclusions:

  • PAF activation of neutrophils contributes to lung inflammation and damage in Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD).
  • Ginkgolide B (GB) effectively inhibits PAF-induced neutrophil activation and IL-6 production, thereby alleviating lung injury.
  • Targeting the PAF pathway with Ginkgolide B (GB) presents a promising therapeutic strategy for BPD and other hyperoxia-related lung diseases.
Abstract

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