Effects of ulinastatin on expression of NF-KB in lung tissues during limb ischemia-reperfusion in rats

Objective To investigate the effects of ulinastatin on the expression of NF-κB in lung tissues during limb ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) in rats.Methods Forty-eight male SD rats weighing 230-260 g were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=16 each):sham operation group (group S);I/R group; ulinastatin group (group U).A rat model of lung injury induced by I/R of hind limbs which was produced by occlusion of the bilateral femoral arteries for 2 h followed by reperfusion was established.The rats were sacrificed at 2 and 4 h of reperfusion(8 rats at each time point) and the lung tissues removed for determination of NF-κB expression (by immuno-histochemistry) and microscopic examination.W/D lung weight ratio was calculated.Results W/D lung weight ratio was significantly increased and NF-κB expression was up-regulated in group I/R compared with group S(P＜ 0.05). W/D lung weight ratio was significantly decreased and NF-κB expression was down-regulated in group U compared with group I/R (P＜0.05). The lung injury induced by I/R was reduced in group U compared with group I/R. Conclusion Ulinastatin can reduce the lung injury induced by limb I/R by down-regulating the expression of NF-κB in rat lung tissues. Key words: Trypsin inhibitors; NF kappa B; Reperfusion injury; Extremities; Lung