Abstract
Sepsis present high morbidity and mortality despite recent advances in therapeutic strategies. Recently, natural products derived from plant extracts and their synthetic derivatives are being increasingly used to treat a wide range of diseases due to their anti-inflammatory property. Thus, oleanolic acid (OA), a triterpenoid compound, modulates the production and activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymatic antioxidant defense. We tested the hypothesis that OA may curtail the inflammatory process, improving lung morphology and function in experimental sepsis. 36 BALB/c mice were assigned to 2 groups: a) Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery, and b) Sham operated group was used as control. One hour after surgery, Sham and CLP groups were further randomized into subgroups receiving saline (SAL ip) and OA (10 mg/kg ip). After 24 h, static lung elastance (Est,L), lung histology, levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the degree of cell apoptosis in lung and kidney were analyzed. Est,L (55%) and alveolar collapse (75%) were higher in CLP-SAL group compared to Sham-SAL (p< 0.05). Furthermore, CLP-SAL group showed interstitial edema, neutrophil infiltration, and higher degree of apoptosis in lung and kidney compared to Sham-SAL. OA reduced Est,L (35%) and alveolar collapse (70%), as well as minimized neutrophil infiltration and the degree of apoptosis in lung and kidney compared to CLP-SAL group. OA did not decrease the levels of IL-6, and IL-8. In conclusion, OA improved lung morpho-function, as well as acted on distal organs in the present model of sepsis.
Supported by: CNPq, PRONEX, FAPERJ, CAPES, INCT-INOFAR.
- © 2011 ERS