Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
08:27
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury
Published on: May 21, 2018
Meloxicam Alleviates Sepsis-Induced Lung Injury by Inhibiting Pyroptosis Through CBP/TXNIP/p38 Signaling Pathway.
Lixia Cheng1, Qian Li1, Yuting Liu2
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug, protects against sepsis-induced lung injury by inhibiting macrophage pyroptosis through the CBP/TXNIP/p38 pathway. This study supports meloxicam
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Sepsis-induced lung injury involves macrophage pyroptosis, a cell death pathway.
- Current therapies for this condition are limited.
- Meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was investigated for its protective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of meloxicam in sepsis-induced lung injury.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of meloxicam's protective effects, focusing on macrophage pyroptosis.
Main Methods:
- Mice underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and were treated with meloxicam.
- Macrophages were stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ATP/nigericin, with or without meloxicam.
- Pyroptosis markers, NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, CBP/TXNIP/p38 signaling, mitochondrial membrane potential, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed.
Main Results:
- Meloxicam improved survival and reduced lung injury in CLP mice.
- In vitro, meloxicam inhibited pyroptosis, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the CBP/TXNIP/p38 axis.
- Meloxicam restored mitochondrial function and reduced ROS, independent of COX-2 inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Meloxicam demonstrates significant protective effects against sepsis-induced lung injury.
- The drug acts by suppressing macrophage pyroptosis via the CBP/TXNIP/p38 signaling pathway.
- These findings suggest meloxicam as a potential repurposed therapeutic agent for this condition.