Influência do tratamento oral com o complexo ni(ii)-melofen no desenvolvimento experimental da lesão pulmonar aguda induzida por lipopolissacarídeo

Abstract

Acute Lung Injury (ALI) is an inflammation characterized by the presence of intense neutrophilic infiltration, resulting from increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary barrier in the lungs. The main causes are sepsis, blood transfusions, and infections by gram-negative bacteria. Morphologically, structural alterations are observed in the cells of the pulmonary parenchyma, as a consequence of the increase in cytokines and reactive oxygen species, which ultimately lead to cell death. Treatment is currently based on supportive therapies, such as mechanical ventilation; however, these therapies carry a high risk of lung collapse. Additionally, there is no standard pharmacological treatment that reverses the present inflammatory condition. Therefore, the need arises for the search for new therapeutic alternatives, such as metallodrugs, which are substances widely researched for their already proven anti-inflammatory effects. Among them, the Ni(II)-Melofen metal complex stands out due to in vitro studies that demonstrate this action. Thus, the aim of the research was to assess the influence of treatment with the Ni(II)-Melofen complex on the development of LPS-induced API in mice. For this, male Swiss mice were experimentally challenged with LPS to develop the disease. At the end, macroscopic analyses were performed, such as the appearance, color, size, and weight of the lungs, along with microscopic analyses through Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. The data were tabulated and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-test, with a statistical significance level of 5% (p<0.05). The results demonstrated that treatment with the Ni(II)-Melofen complex was able to, macroscopically, reduce the size of the lungs and lesions, as well as decrease lung weight. Microscopically, there was an increase in alveolar spaces, a reduction in their occlusion, a decrease in neutrophilic infiltration, and preservation of alveolar structure. Thus, treatment with Ni(II)-Melofen proved to be a promising therapeutic alternative for API by reducing inflammation caused by LPS.