OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of Shenmai injection the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in rabbits with reperfusion injury after pulmonary ischemia.

METHODSingle lung ischemia/reperfusion injury animal model was used in vivo. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10, in each), pulmonary ischemia and reperfusion injury (PIRI) group and I-R + Shenmai injection group. The tissue slides were stained by in situ hybridization (ISH) for HO-1 to detect the expression of HO-1 in lung and to analyze the absorbance. Wet to dry ratio of lung tissue weight (W/D) and the injured alveoli rate (IAR) were measured at 180 minutes after lung reperfusion. Meanwhile the lung tissue slide was prepared for electron microscopic observation at 180 minutes after reperfusion.

RESULTHO-1 expression was upregulated in two groups in the pulmonary endothelial cells, part of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells, extima of vessels and epithelial cells of airway, the absorbance was 0.148 +/- 0.013, 0.158 +/- 0.012, respectively. The Shenmai injection group showed higher absorbance than those of the IRI group (P < 0.01), lower W/D and IAR values than those of the IRI group (P < 0.01) significantly and lighter abnormal changes of the lung tissue in morphologically than those of the PIRI group.

CONCLUSIONShenmai injection possesses notable protective effects on PIRI in rabbits by increasing the expression of HO-1 in lung.