OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on serum NF-κB, IL-10, IL-13 and pulmonary NF-κB protein expression in rabbits with severe lung contusion.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into severe lung contusion group (group A, n=12), lung contusion with NF-κB scrambled decoy ODN group (group B, n=12), lung contusion with sense NF-κB decoy ODN group (group C, n=12), and normal control group (n=4). After establishment of the contusion injury model, the sense and scrambled NF-κB decoy ODN were infused into the rabbits via the jugular vein accordingly. Serum NF-κB, IL-10, and IL-13 and NF-κB protein expressions in the lung tissue were detected before and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 h after the contusion.

RESULTSTwo hours after sense NF-κB decoy ODN intervention, the expression of NF-κB began to decrease and reached the lowest level at 3 h; pulmonary IL-10 and IL-13 expressions decreased at 1 h after contusion, to the lowest level at 2 and 4 h, respectively. After sense NF-κB decoy ODN intervention, the expression of IL-10 and IL-13 increased and NF-κB protein expression decreased significantly in comparison with those in groups A and B (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSense NF-κB decoy ODN can significantly reduce the serum NF-κB expression, increase serum IL-10 and IL-13 levels and decrease pulmonary NF-κB protein expression in the early stages after severe lung contusion in rabbits.