We evaluate the efficacy of
urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) on
inflammation, oxidative stress,
hypoxemia, and diseased lesion in a rat model of
acute lung injury induced by blunt
trauma. Rats were allocated to 4 groups. One group served as normal control. The other 3 groups had a moderate pulmonary
contusion. Except for 1
sham group administrated saline, 1 group was administrated low-dose UTI (20,000 U/kg), and another group was administrated high-dose UTI (50,000 U/kg). Twelve hours after
contusion, neutrophil counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was performed and
tumor necrosis factor α level and
albumin level in BALF was tested. Lung tissue
malondialdehyde levels,
superoxide dismutase, and
catalase activity was investigated, and blood gas analysis and
contusion volume quantification using 3-dimensional computed tomography were performed. High-dose UTI significantly decreased neutrophil count and
tumor necrosis factor α level in BALF (P<0.05) and decreased
albumin level in BALF but without significance. Lung tissue
malondialdehyde levels was significantly reduced, whereas
superoxide dismutase and
catalase activity were elevated by UTI with significance (P<0.05) especially high-dose UTI. No statistical significance was seen in the change in arterial
oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and
contusion volume by UTI (P>0.05). UTI has a dose-dependent trend to ameliorate inflammatory and
oxygen stress in pulmonary
contusion-induced
acute lung injury. However, the effect on
hypoxemia and
contusion lesion and the best administration regime should be investigated in future study.