Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) is an important transcription factor for cells to resist oxidative stress. It interacts with antioxidant response elements to induce the expression of downstream protective phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant enzymes and thus exerts a protective effect on cells. Oxidative stress is the common pathogenesis of many liver diseases, and the Nrf2-ARE antioxidant pathway is an important anti-oxidative stress pathway in vivo. It can induce the expression of downstream target genes and thus plays an important role in the development, progression, and prevention of liver diseases. This article briefly describes the mechanism of action of the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway in the development and progression of liver diseases and points out that Nrf2 may be a potential target for the prevention or treatment of liver diseases.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of quercetin(QUE)on acute lung injury(ALI)rats with sepsis.Methods:Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups(n=10):Sham operation group(Sham),model group(CLP),QUE 25 mg/kg group,QUE 50 mg/kg group,QUE 100 mg/kg group and positive drug dexamethasone(DEX)group.Rats in each group were continuously treated for 7 days,and the survival rate was calculated;HE staining and lung wet-to-dry weight ratio(W/D)were used to evaluate the severity of lung injury;TUNEL staining was used to detect lung tissue apoptosis;levels of inflammatory factors,SOD and MDA were detected by the kits;Western blot was used to detect expressions of apoptosis-related proteins and phosphoryla-tion levels of PTEN,β-catenin,protein kinase B(AKT)and glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)in rat lung tissue.Results:Com-pared with CLP group,after QUE 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg treatment,survival rate of rats was significantly increased(P<0.05),the degree of inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue was reduced,lung injury score and W/D were reduced(P<0.05),apoptosis rate of lung tissue cells and expressions of apoptosis-related proteins were significantly decreased(P<0.05),levels of inflammatory factors were decreased(P<0.05),while the antioxidant capacity was enhanced(P<0.05),phosphorylation levels of PTEN and β-catenin were decreased,while phosphorylation levels of AKT and GSK-3β were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:QUE protects rats from ALI with sepsis by inhibiting apoptosis,reducing inflammation and antioxidance,which mechanism may be related to PTEN/β-catenin and AKT/GSK-3β pathways.