Protective Role of Octreotide in Acute and Chronic Lung Injuries

The treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been the prominent concern in the clinic. Special attentions have been made to investigate the pathophysiological and pharmacological aspects of acute and chronic lung injuries. Appropriate drug treatment is the first priority in the treatment process of this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of octreotide (OCT), a somatostatin analog, on the models of acute and chronic lung injuries.

Two models of acute and chronic lung injuries were performed by intratracheal injection of hydrochloric acid, and four groups were investigated for each model including sham control, octreotide alone, lung injury, and lung injury treated with OCT. In each group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured directly, and blood cell counts, including red, white, and immune cells, were determined. The severity of lung injury was considered by lung tissue histology and arterial blood gas parameters. The function of kidneys as distance organs also was considered by the determination of biochemical parameters.

The results indicated that OCT potentially can improve blood pressure and blood cell parameters. The arterial blood gas indicators and histological lung scores were also improved by OCT in both models of acute and chronic lung injuries.

OCT had multiple effects, such as the inhibition of immune cell infiltration storm, which can reduce acute and chronic lung injuries in rats. These data suggest that OCT should be considered as a therapeutic drug for lung injuries.