Protective efect of ?-glucan on acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats

Abstract

Background/aim: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia can cause serious organ damage such as acute lung injury and deathby triggering the secretion of proinfammatory cytokines and acute-phase reactants. Te goal of this study was to evaluate the efects ofβ-glucan on infammatory mediator levels and histopathological changes in LPS-induced endotoxemia.Materials and methods: Forty-seven male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated into four groups as follows: control group, LPSgroup (10 mg/kg LPS), LPS + β-glucan group (100 mg/kg β-glucan before LPS administration), and β-glucan group. Twelve hours aferLPS administration, lung and serum samples were collected. Concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitoninwere measured in the serum at hours 0 (basal) and 12. Te severity of lung damage was assessed by an appropriate histopathologicalscoring system.Results: Serum levels of CRP in the LPS group at 12 h were signifcantly higher than in the other groups, whereas serum IL-6 levels inthe LPS and LPS + β-glucan groups at 12 h were signifcantly decreased. Te mean histopathological damage score of the LPS group wasslightly higher than that of the LPS + β-glucan group. Moreover, mortality rate was signifcantly decreased in the LPS + β-glucan groupversus the LPS group.