Nintedanib alleviates pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in mice with silicosis

This study aimed to evaluate nintedanib's therapeutic effects on mice silicosis by examining pulmonary function, lung inflammation, and fibrosis.

Mice were categorized into preventive and therapeutic groups, each with control, low-dose, and high-dose treatment subgroups. Cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and cytokines in the lung tissue were detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) was assessed, and lung collagen deposition and inflammation were analyzed using various histological and molecular techniques. Forced lung function tests were conducted to evaluate lung compliance, total lung capacity (TLC), and the mouse airway resistance.

In the preventive group, neutrophil counts and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue were significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, with no significant differences in the RVHI. Collagen deposition and pathological scores for inflammation and fibrosis were reduced in the treatment group. In lung function tests, TLC was higher and resistance lower in the high-dose group. In the therapeutic group, cytokine levels and the RVHI were significantly lower in the treatment group, while collagen type I mRNA expression was statistically significant. Lung function tests revealed improved TLC and resistance in the treatment group.

Nintedanib reduces lung inflammation, fibrosis, and right ventricular hypertrophy in mice with silicosis, demonstrating potential therapeutic effects.