Research Article

Nicorandil Attenuates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury by Pulmonary Endothelial Cell Protection via NF-κB and MAPK Pathways

Figure 2

Nico ameliorated LPS-induced ALI and inflammation. (a) Nico increased LPS-induced Kir6.1 and Kir6.2 downregulation in the lung. (b, c) Lung sections stained with H&E showed severe injury in the LPS group which was attenuated by Nico pretreatment. The data revealed a high score for the LPS-treated group which was decreased in the Nico-pretreated group. (d) Nico pretreatment significantly reduced LPS-induced protein leakage in BALF. (e, f) Nico alleviated LPS-induced increments of MPO activities in BALF and lung homogenate. (g, h) Nico prevented the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in lung homogenate. Data were shown as (). Statistically significant differences: versus the control group; versus the LPS group. Scale bar: 50 μm.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)