Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is gasotransmitter which plays an important role in human physiology. In this study, we aimed to check the effect of H2S treatment on acute lung inflammation (ALI). Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used and divided into: control group, ALI group which was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, ALI group treated by the H2S donor; sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight i.p. and ALI group treated by i.p. injection of 80 mg/kg body weight DL-propargylglycine (PAG) which is an inhibitor of endogenous H2S synthesis. Serum was obtained to determine interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Lipid peroxides and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured in lung. Lung histopathology and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were also done. Results showed that NaHS improved lung inflammation through its inhibitory effect on iNOS expression, decreasing the levels of IL-6 and lipid peroxides and increasing TAC levels. But, ALI was exacerbated with PAG administration. In conclusion, the results proved that H2S has a protective effect against LPS induced ALI due to its anti-nitrative, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.