An Experimental Study of Protective Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins During Lung Ischemia/reperfusion Injury in Rabbits

Objective To observe protective effects of panax notoginseng saponins(PNS) during lung ischemia reperfusion injury(LIRI) and to investigate its mechanism.Methods Rabbit lung model of ischemia reperfusion injury was constituted in vivo.30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups:sham operation group(S group),ischemia-reperfusion group(IR group)and ischemia-reperfusion plus panax notoginseng saponins group(PNS group).Wet to dry weight ratio(W/D),injured alveoli rate(IAR) in lung tissue were examined,ultramicroscopic structure changes were observed at the end of experiment.Meanwhile the location and expression of PKC mRNA were observed.Results The value of W/D and IAR were much higher in IR group,but decreased in PNS group.Electron microscope showed obvious ultrastructure injury brought by LIRI in IR group,which was greatly attenuated in PNS group.The average optical density values of PKCα,δ and θmRNA in small pulmonary veins in PNS group were significantly higher than those in IR group and S group.Conclusion Panax notoginseng saponins produces notable protective effects on LIRI in rabbits by activating PKCα,δ and θ mRNA expression in lung tissue.