Amiloride combined with small-volume resuscitation with hypertonic saline is superior in ameliorating trauma-hemorrhagic shock-induced lung injury in rats to the administration of either agent alone

Amelioration of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats by Na-H Exchanger-1 Inhibitor Amiloride Is Associated with Reversal of ERK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase

Background

Na-H exchanger-1 (NHE-1) is expressed in the lung of rats. Accumulating evidence shows that Na-H exchangers are involved in inflammation. Amiloride, an inhibitor of NHE-1, inhibits the activation of macrophages and endothelial cells and reduces their production of cytokines. Since these processes have been implicated in acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we examined the protective effect of amiloride on ALI induced by LPS in rats.

Material and Methods

ALI in specific pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by an intravenous injection of 6 mg/kg LPS. Amiloride pretreated rats received an intravenous injection of 10 mg/kg amiloride 30 min before the administration of LPS. Controls received normal saline in a similar manner. All animals were sacrificed 6 h after LPS or normal saline administration. The degree of ALI was assessed by wet-to-dry weight ratio (W/D) and lung histological examination. Neutrophilic infiltration was determined by myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissue. Concentrations of total protein (TP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were also measured. Expression of NHE-1 and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38, p-p38, ERK, and p-ERK was evaluated by western blot analysis.

Results

Pretreatment with amiloride significantly reduced the increase in W/D, ALI score, lung tissue MPO activity, concentrations of TP, TNF-α, and MIP-2 in BALF, resulting in attenuation of ALI induced by LPS. Meanwhile, levels of NHE-1 and p-ERK proteins were reversed, whereas that of p-p38 was not.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that NHE-1 inhibitor amiloride could attenuate ALI induced by LPS in rats. This effect is mediated through reversal of ERK.

Exploiting large-scale drug-protein interaction information for computational drug repurposing

BACKGROUND

Despite increased investment in pharmaceutical research and development, fewer and fewer new drugs are entering the marketplace. This has prompted studies in repurposing existing drugs for use against diseases with unmet medical needs. A popular approach is to develop a classification model based on drugs with and without a desired therapeutic effect. For this approach to be statistically sound, it requires a large number of drugs in both classes. However, given few or no approved drugs for the diseases of highest medical urgency and interest, different strategies need to be investigated.

RESULTS

We developed a computational method termed "drug-protein interaction-based repurposing" (DPIR) that is potentially applicable to diseases with very few approved drugs. The method, based on genome-wide drug-protein interaction information and Bayesian statistics, first identifies drug-protein interactions associated with a desired therapeutic effect. Then, it uses key drug-protein interactions to score other drugs for their potential to have the same therapeutic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Detailed cross-validation studies using United States Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for hypertension, human immunodeficiency virus, and malaria indicated that DPIR provides robust predictions. It achieves high levels of enrichment of drugs approved for a disease even with models developed based on a single drug known to treat the disease. Analysis of our model predictions also indicated that the method is potentially useful for understanding molecular mechanisms of drug action and for identifying protein targets that may potentiate the desired therapeutic effects of other drugs (combination therapies).

Resuscitation-induced intestinal edema and related dysfunction: state of the science

High volume resuscitation and damage control surgical methods, while responsible for significantly decreasing morbidity and mortality from traumatic injuries, are associated with pathophysiologic derangements that lead to subsequent end organ edema and dysfunction. Alterations in hydrostatic and oncotic pressures frequently result in intestinal edema and subsequent dysfunction. The purpose of this review is to examine the principles involved in the development of intestinal edema, current and historical models for the study of edema, effects of edema on intestinal function (particularly ileus), molecular mediators governing edema-induced dysfunction, potential role of mechanotransduction , and therapeutic effects of hypertonic saline. We review the current state of the science as it relates to resuscitation induced intestinal edema and resultant dysfunction.

Animal models for trauma research: what are the options?

Even if trauma patients initially avoid death after trauma (due to massive blood volume loss, primary severe brain injury), they are still at risk for multiple organ failure. Thus, it is crucial to elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of trauma/hemorrhagic shock and the immune response involved. As of now, many hemorrhagic shock/trauma studies have used various types of animal models. Despite a large number of results from these efforts, some authors have argued that animal model results are difficult to translate directly into the clinical scenario. This review summarizes the advantages and the disadvantages of using animal models in trauma/hemorrhagic shock studies and discusses the relevance of various animal studies to the clinical scenario.

Hypertonic saline up-regulates A3 adenosine receptor expression of activated neutrophils and increases acute lung injury after sepsis

OBJECTIVE

Hypertonic saline resuscitation reduces tissue damage by inhibiting polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Hypertonic saline triggers polymorphonuclear neutrophils to release adenosine triphosphate that is converted to adenosine, inhibiting polymorphonuclear neutrophils through A2a adenosine receptors. Polymorphonuclear neutrophils also express A3 adenosine receptors that enhance polymorphonuclear neutrophil functions. Here we investigated whether A3 receptors may diminish the efficacy of hypertonic saline in a mouse model of acute lung injury.

DESIGN

Randomized animal study and laboratory investigation.

SETTING

University research laboratory.

INTERVENTIONS

The effect of A3 receptors on the efficacy of hypertonic saline resuscitation was assessed in A3 receptor knockout and wild-type mice. Animals were treated with hypertonic saline (7.5% NaCl, 4 mL/kg) before or after cecal ligation and puncture, and acute lung injury and mortality were determined. The effect of timing of hypertonic saline exposure on A3 receptor expression and degranulation was studied in vitro with isolated human polymorphonuclear neutrophils.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Treatment of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils with hypertonic saline before stimulation with formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine inhibited A3 receptor expression and degranulation, whereas hypertonic saline-treatment after formyl methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine-stimulation augmented A3 receptor expression and degranulation. Acute lung injury in wild-type mice treated with hypertonic saline after cecal ligation and puncture was significantly greater than in wild-type mice pretreated with hypertonic saline. This aggravating effect of delayed hypertonic saline-treatment was absent in A3 receptor knockout mice. Similarly, mortality in wild-type mice with delayed hypertonic saline-treatment was significantly higher (88%) than in animals treated with hypertonic saline before cecal ligation and puncture (50%). Mortality in A3 receptor knockout mice remained only 50% regardless of timing of hypertonic saline administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil A3 receptors expression determines whether hypertonic saline resuscitation inhibits or aggravates polymorphonuclear neutrophil-induced acute lung injury. These findings suggest that A3 antagonists could improve the efficacy of hypertonic saline resuscitation by reducing side effects in patients whose polymorphonuclear neutrophils are activated before hypertonic saline treatment.

Postresuscitation tissue neutrophil infiltration is time-dependent and organ-specific

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhagic shock with conventional resuscitation (CR) primes circulating neutrophils and activates vascular endothelium for increased systemic inflammation, superoxide release, and end-organ damage. Adjunctive direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) with intraperitoneal instillation of a clinical peritoneal dialysis solution decreases systemic inflammation and edema formation by enhancing tissue perfusion. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of adjunctive DPR on neutrophil and fluid sequestration.

METHODS

Anesthetized rats were hemorrhaged to 40% mean arterial pressure for 60 min. Animals were randomized for CR with the return of the shed blood plus two volumes of saline, or CR plus adjunctive DPR with 30 mL of intraperitoneal injection of a clinical peritoneal dialysis solution. Tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) level, a marker of neutrophil sequestration, and total water content were assessed in the gut, lung, and liver in sham animals and at time-points 1, 2, 4, and 24 h postresuscitation.

RESULTS

Resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock increases MPO level in all tissues in a near-linear fashion during the first 4 h following resuscitation. This occurs irrespective of the resuscitation regimen used. Tissue MPO level returned to baseline at 24 h following resuscitation except in the liver where CR and not adjunctive DPR caused a significant rebound increase. Adjunctive DPR prevented the CR-mediated obligatory fluid sequestration in the gut and lung and maintained a relative normal tissue water in these organs compared with CR alone (n = 7, F = 10.1, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation produces time-dependent organ-specific trends of neutrophil sequestration as measured with tissue levels of myeloperoxidase, a marker of neutrophil infiltration. Modulation of the splanchnic blood flow by direct peritoneal resuscitation did not alter the time-dependent neutrophil infiltration in end-organs, suggesting a subordinate role of blood rheology in the hemorrhage-induced neutrophil sequestration. Vulnerable window for neutrophil-mediated tissue damage exists during the first 4 h following resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock in rats. Direct peritoneal resuscitation prevents the early obligatory fluid sequestration and promotes early fluid mobilization.

Cellular edema regulates tissue capillary perfusion after hemorrhage resuscitation

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage-induced activation of endothelial cell Na+/H+ -exchanger results in cellular swelling, which physically impedes capillary filling and compromises gut perfusion. We hypothesized that correction of the vascular volume deficit by conventional resuscitation does not improve capillary filling unless cellular swelling is prevented. Also, we hypothesized that adjunctive direct peritoneal resuscitation (DPR) with topical peritoneal dialysis solution (Delflex; Fresenius USA, Inc., Ogden, Ut) enhances capillary filling and gut perfusion by mechanisms that are independent of the Na+/H+ function.

METHODS

In vivo intravital videomicroscopy and Doppler velocimeter were used by us to measure microvascular diameter and flow, capillary filling (index of functional capillary density, FCD), and endothelial cell function in the terminal ileum of anesthetized rats. Rats were bled to 50% mean arterial pressure for 60 min and resuscitated with the shed blood plus 2 volumes of saline (conventional resuscitation). Prevention of endothelial cell swelling was achieved with topical amiloride (specific Na+/H+ inhibitor) in the tissue bath before hemorrhage or simultaneously with conventional resuscitation. DPR was simulated by instillation of Delflex in the tissue bath as adjunctive to conventional resuscitation. Sham no hemorrhage group and a simulated DPR group that received topical amiloride treatment served as controls.

RESULTS

Conventional resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock restored and maintained central hemodynamics but caused progressive and persistent intestinal vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion associated with low FCD and endothelial cell dysfunction. Prevention of endothelial cell swelling when combined with conventional resuscitation, preserved endothelial cell function, and restored local intestinal microvascular variables to near-prehemorrhage levels. Simulated adjunctive DPR produced rapid, sustained, and generalized vasodilation associated with restoration of endothelial cell function, and maximum recruitment of FCD independent of the Na+/H+ -exchanger function.

CONCLUSIONS

Paradoxical endothelial cell swelling occurs early during hemorrhagic shock because of activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger. This cellular edema, which is not resolved by correction of the vascular volume deficit, explains the persistent postresuscitation endothelial cell dysfunction and gut hypoperfusion. Simulated adjunctive DPR in this study reversed endothelial cell swelling and enhanced gut perfusion by mechanisms that are independent of the Na+/H+ exchanger activity.

Comparison of lung injury after normal or small volume optimized resuscitation in a model of hemorrhagic shock

OBJECTIVE

To compare lung injury induced by a hemorrhagic shock resuscitated with normal saline or with small volumes of a hypertonic/hyperoncotic solution.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Randomized, controlled, laboratory study in an animal research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Nineteen pigs (43 +/- 4 kg).

INTERVENTIONS

After anesthesia and mechanical ventilation animals were bled to induce a 2-h deep shock and resuscitated for 2 h using normal saline (NS, 2 ml/kg per minute, n = 7) or the association of 7.2% NaCl with 6% hydroxyethylstarch 200/0.5 (HSHES, 4 ml/kg in 10 min followed by 0.2 ml/kg per minute, n = 7) to reach cardiac index and mixed venous oxygen saturation goals. Lungs were removed 6[Symbol: see text]h after the initiation of hemorrhage. Five animals were used as controls without hemorrhage.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Resuscitation goals were achieved using 90 +/- 17 ml/kg NS or 6.8 +/- 1.9 ml/kg HSHES. Lung injury was noted in both hemorrhage groups but was not influenced by the type of resuscitation. Extravascular lung water was measured at 9.6 +/- 1.8 ml/kg in the NS group, 9.2 +/- 1.6 ml/kg in the HSHES, group and 6.4 +/- 1 m/kg in the control group. The degree of histological alveolar membrane focal thickening and interstitial neutrophil infiltration were significantly more pronounced in the hemorrhage groups with no difference between the two types of fluid loading. Finally, pulmonary levels of IL-8 were higher after hemorrhage regardless of the type of resuscitation.

CONCLUSIONS

When included in an optimized and goal directed resuscitation, the use of normal saline or a small volume of hypertonic/hyperoncotic solution does not result in a different early hemorrhage-induced lung injury.

Hemodynamic effects of combined treatment with oxygen and hypertonic saline in hemorrhagic shock

OBJECTIVE

In hemorrhagic shock, small volume resuscitation with hypertonic saline transiently increases mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) and cardiac output and augments organ perfusion. Inhalation of 100% oxygen after hemorrhage also increases MABP and redistributes blood flow to the splanchnic and renal vascular beds. We evaluated hemodynamic effects of combined resuscitation with hypertonic saline and oxygen in shock induced by controlled bleeding in rats.

DESIGN

Animal study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Animals were assigned to four hemorrhage groups that received posttreatment with a) normal saline; b) normal saline + 100% oxygen; c) hypertonic saline; d) hypertonic saline + oxygen, and a fifth sham-shock group that received hypertonic saline + oxygen.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Bolus infusion of small volume hypertonic saline markedly increased MABP (p < .001), hindquarter vascular resistance (p < .05), and distal aorta blood flow (p < .01). Hypertonic saline transiently increased superior (cranial) mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow (p < .001) and small bowel perfusion (p < .01). Inhalation of oxygen after normal saline rapidly increased MABP (p < .01) and hindquarter vascular resistance (p < .02) and decreased distal aorta blood flow (p < .02) and perfusion of the gracilis muscle (p < .05). When given after normal saline, oxygen did not change SMA resistance and increased SMA flow (p < .05). The supplementation of oxygen after hypertonic saline did not exert additional effects on vascular resistance and blood flows in the two vascular beds. However, the combined treatment prevented the oxygen-induced decrease in distal aorta blood flow and gracilis muscle perfusion and maintained MABP at slightly higher values and SMA flow at significantly higher values than hypertonic saline alone until the end of the protocol (p < .01). The two hemorrhaged groups treated with oxygen exhibited the lowest final plasma lactate concentrations (p < .05 from normal saline and hypertonic saline groups).

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that early combined use of hypertonic saline and oxygen exerts a favorable extended profile of hemodynamic effects that amends shortcomings of each treatment alone in hemorrhagic shock.

Amiloride moderates increased gut permeability and diminishes mesenteric lymph-mediated priming of neutrophils in trauma/hemorrhagic shock

BACKGROUND

Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+/H+ exchangers and Na+ channels has been shown recently to ameliorate both gut and lung injury in rats subjected to a combined insult of trauma and hemorrhagic shock (T/HS). We have shown previously that mesenteric lymph duct ligation prevents T/HS-induced lung endothelial injury and neutrophil activation, suggesting that toxic inflammatory factors originating from the gut and carried in the lymph are responsible for the lung injury observed after T/HS. This study investigates whether the protective effect of amiloride against T/HS-induced lung injury was associated with decreased lymph toxicity and gut permeability.

METHODS

Male rats subjected to trauma (laparotomy) plus hemorrhagic shock (mean arterial pressure, 30 mm Hgx90 min) (T/HS) or trauma plus sham shock (T/SS) and treated with amiloride or its vehicle had their mesenteric lymph duct catheterized. Mesenteric lymph collected before and after shock was assayed for biologic activity on endothelial cells (cytotoxicity and permeability) and neutrophils (respiratory burst activity). Gut permeability was assessed by monitoring plasma concentrations of the fluorescent dye FITC-dextran after its injection into the ileum.

RESULTS

Amiloride administration reduced the capacity of post-shock mesenteric lymph to prime neutrophils for an increased respiratory burst. Amiloride failed to decrease the ability of mesenteric lymph to kill endothelial cells or increase their permeability. Amiloride decreased gut permeability.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanisms of the lung protective effect of amiloride in rats undergoing T/HS may be secondary to decreased neutrophil activation, diminished gut permeability, or an effect on the end organ.

The sodium/hydrogen exchanger: a possible mediator of immunity

Immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils provide the first line of defence of the immune system using phagocytosis, cytokine and chemokine synthesis and release, as well as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation. Many of these functions are positively coupled with cytoplasmic pH (pHi) and/or phagosomal pH (pHp) modification; an increase in pHi represents an important signal for cytokine and chemokine release, whereas a decrease in pHp can induce an efficient antigen presentation. However, the relationship between pHi and ROS generation is not well understood. In immune cells two main transport systems have been shown to regulate pHi: the Na+/H+ Exchanger (NHE) and the plasmalemmal V-type H+ ATPase. NHE is a family of proteins which exchange Na+ for H+ according to their concentration gradients in an electroneutral manner. The exchanger also plays a key role in several other cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration, and cytoskeletal organization. Since not much is known on the relationship between NHE and immunity, this review outlines the contribution of NHE to different aspects of innate and adaptive immune responses such as phagosomal acidification, NADPH oxidase activation and ROS generation, cytokine and chemokine release as well as T cell apoptosis. The possibility that several pro-inflammatory diseases may be modulated by NHE activity is evaluated.