AUTHOR=Ge Yangyang , Wang Chenchen , Yao Chenye , Wang Yong , Zheng Yuduo , Luo Junjie , Chen Jiayi , Wang Yu , Wang Fuquan , Wang Li , Lin Yun , Shi Lin , Yao Shanglong 

TITLE=STC3141 improves acute lung injury through neutralizing circulating histone in rat with experimentally-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2023.1166814

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2023.1166814

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) remains a challenge because of its high morbidity and mortality. Circulation histones levels in ARDS patients were correlated to disease severity and mortality. This study examined the impact of histone neutralization in a rat model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) double-hit.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Sixty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to sham (N = 8, received saline only) or LPS (N = 60). The LPS double-hit consisted of a 0.8 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection followed after 16 h by 5 mg/kg intra-tracheal nebulized LPS. The LPS group was then randomized into five groups: LPS only; LPS +5, 25, or 100 mg/kg intravenous STC3141 every 8 h (LPS + L, LPS + M, LPS + H, respectively); or LPS + intraperitoneal dexamethasone 2.5 mg/kg every 24 h for 56 h (LPS + D). The animals were observed for 72 h.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> LPS animals developed ALI as suggested by lower oxygenation, lung edema formation, and histological changes compared to the sham animals. Compared to the LPS group, LPS + H and +D groups had significantly lower circulating histone levels and lung wet-to-dry ratio, and the LPS + D group also had lower BALF histone concentrations; the blood neutrophils and platelets counts in LPS + D group did not change, meanwhile, the LPS + L, +M and +H groups had significantly lower neutrophil counts and higher platelet counts in the blood; the total number of BALF WBC, platelet counts, MPO and H3 were significantly lower in the LPS + L, +M, +H and +D groups than in the LPS only group; and the degree of inflammation was significantly less in the LPS + L, +M, +H and +D groups, moreover, inflammation in the LPS + L, +M and +H animals showed a dose-dependent response; finally, the LPS + L, +M, +H and +D groups had improved oxygenation compared to the LPS group, and there were no statistical differences in PCO2 or pH among groups. All animals survived.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Neutralization of histone using STC3141, especially at high dose, had similar therapeutic effects to dexamethasone in this LPS double-hit rat ALI model, with significantly decreased circulating histone concentration, improved acute lung injury and oxygenation.</p>