Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to a hypobaric hypoxic environment at high altitudes can lead to lung injury. In this study, we aimed to determine whether curcumin (Cur) could improve lung barrier function and protect against high-altitude-associated acute lung injury. METHODS: Two hundred healthy rats were randomly divided into standard control, high-altitude control (HC), salidroside (40 mg/kg, positive control), and Cur (200 mg/kg) groups. Each group was further divided into five subgroups. Basic vital signs, lung injury histopathology, routine blood parameters, plasma lactate level, and arterial blood gas indicators were evaluated. Protein and inflammatory factor (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and IL-10) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using the bicinchoninic acid method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Inflammation-related and lung barrier function-related proteins were analyzed using immunoblotting. RESULTS: Cur improved blood routine indicators such as hemoglobin and hematocrit and reduced the BALF protein content and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels compared with those in the HC group. It increased IL-10 levels and reduced pulmonary capillary congestion, alveolar hemorrhage, and the degree of pulmonary interstitial edema. It increased oxygen partial pressure, oxygen saturation, carbonic acid hydrogen radical, and base excess levels, and the expression of zonula occludens 1, occludin, claudin-4, and reduced carbon dioxide partial pressure, plasma lactic acid, and the expression of phospho-nuclear factor kappa. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to a high-altitude environment for 48 h resulted in severe lung injury in rats. Cur improved lung barrier function and alleviated acute lung injury in rats at high altitudes.