Ulinastatin prevents hyperoxia-induced lung injury on newborn rats by downregulating TNF-α and inhibiting macrophage infiltration

Abstract

Ulinastatin (UTI) can support protection for several organs through inhibition of the release of inflammatory factors, absorbing oxygen radicals, and inhibition the progression of fibrosis. However, whether UTI has effect on hyperoxia-induced lung injury is still unclear. In this study, the effects of UTI treatment on newborn rats suffering hyperoxia-induced lung injury were examined. The results demonstrated that UTI treatment significantly attenuated the wet/dry weight ratio, downregulated the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), inhibited macrophage infiltration, and improved the average weight of rats. The most significant changes were observed in high-dose UTI treatment group. However, UTI had no effect on pulmonary superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Our results suggested that Ulinastatin prevents hyperoxia-induced lung injury on newborn rats by downregulating TNF-α and inhibiting macrophage infiltration.