Renqing Changjue alleviates sepsis-induced acute lung injury by regulating renin-angiotensin system and inhibiting inflammatory response
Minxia Zhu,
Yaqi Lei,
Zhaojun Zhang,
Xu Guo,
Jing Guo,
Ruipeng Wu,
Xiaofeng Li,
Shibo Tian,
Yuanhao Zhao
Affiliations
Minxia Zhu
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China; Corresponding author at: School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Wenhui East Road 6, Weicheng District, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China.
Yaqi Lei
Affiliated Hospital of Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Zhaojun Zhang
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Xu Guo
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Jing Guo
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Ruipeng Wu
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Xiaofeng Li
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Shibo Tian
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Yuanhao Zhao
Key Laboratory of High Altitude Hypoxia Environment and Life Health, School of Medicine, Xizang Minzu University, Xianyang 712082, Shaanxi, China
Sepsis, with high morbidity and mortality, represents a systemic inflammatory response syndrome. A common consequence of sepsis is acute lung injury (ALI). Renqing Changjue (RQCJ), a renowned prescription in traditional Tibetan medicine, is reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. The present study was aimed at exploring whether RQCJ could mitigate sepsis-induced ALI and elucidating its underlying mechanism. The rat model of sepsis-induced ALI was established by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and high, medium, and low doses of RQCJ were administered. The results indicated that the intervention of RQCJ improved septic symptoms, mitigated the murine sepsis score and pulmonary edema in LPS-induced septic rats, and decreased inflammatory cytokines in lung tissue such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Furthermore, RQCJ regulated the balance of renin-angiotensin system by enhancing the enzyme activity of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) while inhibiting ACE, thereby promoting the production of angiotensin 1–7 (Ang1–7). This study highlights the multiple protective effects of RQCJ on sepsis-induced ALI, providing a valuable reference for its further development and offering a novel perspective for the treatment of sepsis-induced ALI.
