Mechanisms and Nanomedicine Interventions of Acute Lung Injury Induced by Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion: A Mini Review

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (II/R) injury is a common perioperative complication that occurs during severe infections, trauma, and multiple surgical procedures. II/R not only leads to localized intestinal damage but also disrupts the intestinal mucosal barrier, inducing systemic inflammatory responses and multi-organ failure, especially acute lung injury (ALI). The mechanisms are complex, involving multiple pathological processes such as oxidative stress, systemic inflammatory response, apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis. During II/R, the large amount of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors produced rapidly activates immune cells and destroys the alveolar barrier, leading to pulmonary edema and hypoxemia, and in severe cases, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) may develop, ultimately causing respiratory failure. Current treatments include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic drugs, as well as surgical interventions and traditional Chinese medicine. However, these methods have high drug toxicity and limited efficacy. With the development of nanomedicine, new strategies have emerged for the treatment of II/R-ALI. Nanomedicines, owing to their excellent bioavailability and targeting capabilities, can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects. This review summarizes the major mechanisms underlying II/R-ALI and discusses recent advances in the application of nanomaterials for its treatment.