Objective: To evaluate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced activation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes in alveolar macrophages of rats. Methods: NR8383 cells of rat alveolar macrophages cultured in vitro were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of 4×10⁴ cells/ml and divided into 4 groups (n=48 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), group LPS (group L), LPS+ HO-1 siRNA group (group L+ HO-1 siRNA), and LPS+ Con siRNA group (group L+ Con siRNA). The cells were cultured in normal culture atmosphere in group C. NR8383 cells were stimulated with 10 μg/ml LPS in L, L+ HO-1 siRNA and L+ Con siRNA groups.Cells were transfected with HO-1 siRNA at 48 h before stimulation with LPS in group L+ HO-1 siRNA and with Con siRNA at 48 h before stimulation with LPS in group L+ Con siRNA.The cells were collected and incubated for 24 h after stimulation with LPS for measurement of the cell viability, expression of HO-1 and NLRP3 mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction), expression of HO-1, NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC) and caspase-1 (by Western blot), and concentrations of interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the supernatant (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the expression of HO-1 and NLRP3 protein and mRNA, ASC and caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations were increased in L, L+ HO-1 siRNA and L+ Con siRNA groups (P<0.05). Compared with group L, the cell viability was significantly decreased, the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA was down-regulated, and the expression of NLRP3 protein and mRNA, ASC and caspase-1 was up-regulated, and the IL-1β and IL-18 concentrations were increased in group L+ HO-1 siRNA (P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group L+ Con siRNA (P>0.05). Conclusion HO-1 is involved in LPS-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes in alveolar macrophages of rats.

Objective:To evaluate the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-induced endogenous protection in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-caused apoptosis in rat alveolar macrophages and the relationship with endoplasmic reticulum stress.Methods:Alveolar macrophages of rats were randomized into 4 groups ( n=32 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), LPS group (group L), Con siRNA group and HO-1 siRNA group. Cells were cultured normally in group C, and 10 μg/ml LPS was added to the culture medium in the other three groups. Con siRNA and HO-1 siRNA transfection was performed at 48 h before adding LPS in Con siRNA and HO-1 siRNA groups. At 24 h of treatment with LPS, MTT method was used to measure the cell viability, flow cytometry was used to determine the cell apoptosis rate, and Western blot was used to detect the expression of glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated kinase receptor-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), phosphorylated type I endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane protein kinase (p-IRE-1), phosphorylated stress-activated protein kinase (p-JNK) and caspase-12. Results:Compared with group C, the cell viability was significantly decreased, cell apoptosis rate was increased, and the expression of HO-1, GRP78, CHOP, p-PERK, p-IRE-1, p-JNK and caspase-12 was up-regulated in the other three groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group L, the cell viability was significantly decreased, cell apoptosis rate was increased, and the expression of HO-1 was down-regulated, and the expression of GRP78, CHOP, p-PERK, p-IRE-1, p-JNK and caspase-12 was up-regulated in group HO-1 siRNA ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in each parameter in group Con siRNA ( P>0.05). Compared with group Con siRNA, the cell viability was significantly decreased, cell apoptosis rate was increased, and the expression of HO-1 was down-regulated, and the expression of GRP78, CHOP, p-PERK, p-IRE-1, p-JNK and caspase-12 was up-regulated in group HO-1 siRNA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism of HO-1-induced endogenous protection is related to inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and then reducing LPS-induced apoptosis in alveolar macrophages of rats.

The clinical data of patients with severe acute pancreatitis admitted to the Department of Intensive Care Unit in our hospital from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi decoction treatment group (acupuncture group) and conventional group according to whether the patients received electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi decoction treatment.A prediction model of treatment propensity score was established for paired screening, with 122 cases in each group.The acupoints such as Zusanli, Sanyinjiao, Hegu, Shangjuxu, Xiajuxu, and Taichong were selected, and then electroacupuncture treatment was performed after qi arrival using the manipulation technique, 1 or 2 times per day.Qingyi decoction was injected through the stomach and/or Qingyi decoction was given by coloclysis, 2-4 doses per day.The main outcome was the incidence of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the secondary outcome was the occurrence of complications and outcome of discharge.Compared with conventional group, the incidence of ARDS was significantly decreased, the time of mechanical ventilation was shortened, the incidence of renal dysfunction, score for acute physiology and chronic health score system, sequential organ failure score, and score for the severity of bedside acute pancreatitis were decreased, the rate of surgical intervention was increased, the total length of hospital stay was prolonged, and the fatality rate during hospitalization was reduced in acupuncture group ( P<0.05). The results of subgroup analysis showed that the onset time of disease (<1 week), a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, biliary pancreatitis and alcoholic pancreatitis, high fever, puncture and drainage were influencing factors for ARDS developed in the patients who received electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi decoction for treating severe acute pancreatitis.In conclusion, electroacupuncture combined with Qingyi decoction as an adjuvant treatment for severe acute pancreatitis can reduce acute lung injury, promote recovery, and decrease fatality rate.