Potential use of the nano‐compound fullerenol for the treatment of paraquat‐induced acute lung injury in rats (660.16)

The present work aimed at investigating the effect of fullerenol in the treatment of paraquat‐induced acute lung injury (ALI). Wistar rats were separated in control, ALI and ALI+fullerenol groups. In rats given paraquat there was increase of lipid peroxidation in lung, neutrophilia, accumulation of neutrophils in lung and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), associated with an increase in pulmonary levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6 and CINC‐1, and serum levels of TNF‐α and IL‐6. Histological analysis showed inflammatory infiltrate, perivascular and intra‐alveolar edema, hemorrhage, vascular congestion and atelectasis. There was elevation of the basal production of nitric oxide (NO) and hyporesponsiveness of the aorta to vasoconstrictors. Treatment with fullerenol normalized lipid peroxidation, neutrophils number on BAL, lung and blood, the level of IL‐1β and CINC‐1 in lung, and TNF‐α and IL‐6 on serum. All histological parameters were normalized. Furthermore, treatment with fullerenol normalized the basal production of NO and vascular function. Finally, fullerenol increased the survival of animals with ALI. In conclusion, fullerenol combines antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities, reducing pulmonary and vascular alterations, and mortality induced by paraquat. Hence, fullerenol can be an effective and promising drug for the treatment of paraquat‐induced acute lung injury. Grant Funding Source : Supported by FAPEMIG/PRONEX BioNC; CNPq and CAPES