Pharmacological Effects of Marine-Derived Enterococcus faecium EA9 against Acute Lung Injury and Inflammation in Cecal Ligated and Punctured Septic Rats

Abstract

Microorganisms obtained from the marine environment may represent a potential therapeutic value for multiple diseases. This study explored the possible protective role of marine-derived potential probiotic Enterococcus faecium EA9 (E. faecium) against pulmonary inflammation and oxidative stress using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis in Wistar rats. Animals were pretreated with E. faecium for 10 days before either sham or CLP surgeries. Animals were sacrificed 72 hours following the surgical intervention. The histological architecture of lung tissues was evaluated as indicated by the lung injury score. In addition, the extend of pulmonary edema was determined as wet/dry weight ratio. The inflammatory cytokines were estimated in lung tissues, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) using the enzyme-linked-immunosorbent-assay (ELISA) technique. Moreover, markers for lipid peroxidation such as thiobarbituric acid reaction substances (TBARs), and endogenous antioxidants, including reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in lung tissues. Finally, the enzymatic activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) were assayed in the lungs. Pretreatment with E. faecium markedly attenuated CLP-induced lung injury and pulmonary edema. Markers for inflammation, including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β were augmented in the lung tissues of CLP animals, while E. faecium ameliorated their augmented levels. E. faecium pretreatment also restored the elevated TBARS levels and the prohibited CAT, SOD, and GPx enzymatic activities in CLP animals. GSH levels were corrected by E. faecium in CLP animals. The inflammatory and lipid peroxidation mediators were positively correlated, while antioxidant enzymatic activities were negatively correlated with CLP-induced lung injury and pulmonary edema. Collectively, marine-derived Enterococcus faecium EA9 might be considered as a prospective therapeutic tool for the management of pulmonary dysfunction associated with sepsis.

A Rodent Model of Human-Dose-Equivalent 5-Fluorouracil: Toxicity in the Liver, Kidneys, and Lungs

“…Organ weights in toxicity analyses are usually a very important parameter [90]. Lung weight is usually calculated in proportion to pulmonary edema [91]. In this study, the relative lung weight increased significantly after the use of 5-FU, which may be an effect of the significant increase in pulmonary areas with edema (Figure 5).…”

“…In this study, the relative lung weight increased significantly after the use of 5-FU, which may be an effect of the significant increase in pulmonary areas with edema (Figure 5). According to researchers, oxidative stress and the inflammatory process alter respiratory function, which results in pulmonary edema and the accumulation of inflammatory exudate [91,92]. In cases of lung injury, it is common to observe fibrosis (healing after injury), indicated by the abnormal accumulation of collagen in the extracellular tissue matrix [93].…”

Genome sequencing of Enterococcus faecium NT04, an oral microbiota revealed the production of enterocin A/B active against oral pathogens

“…These include aggregation substance protein, cell wall adhesins, gelatinase, cytolysin, enterococcal surface proteins, and hyaluronidase [ 3 , 4 ]. Due to their ability to produce bacteriocins called Enterocins, which are active against closely related pathogenic microorganisms, enterococci have garnered significant attention in recent years [ 5 , 6 ]. Enterocins are commonly highly effective against pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria innocua, and Clostridium spp.…”