Effects and Mechanisms of Breviscapine on Lung Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of breviscapine on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) in rats. Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group and breviscapine group, with 12 rats in each group. The LIRI model was established in the later 2 groups. The breviscapine group was given breviscapine (40 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection 30 min before operation. The ischemia was performed for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 120 min. After reperfusion, compared with model group, in breviscapine group the respiratory index was decreased (P < 0.001), the lung wet-dry weight ratio was decreased (P < 0.001), the serum malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase levels were decreased (P < 0.001), the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 beta levels were decreased (P < 0.001) and the lung tissue superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels were decreased (P < 0.001). The breviscapine pretreatment can alleviate the LIRI in rats, and its mechanism may be related to breviscapine alleviating pulmonary edema, reducing the inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress.