The Journal of Practical Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (19): 2991-2999.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-5725.2025.19.006

• Basic Research • Previous Articles    

Protective mechanism of sevoflurane on acute lung injury in sepsis by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Jinyan GUO1,Yuqing YOU2,Ke CHEN2,Fen PAN1,Jiahui LAI2,Sufang CHEN1,Weifeng. YAO1()   

  1. *.Department of Anesthesiology,the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat?sen University,Guangzhou 510630,Guangdong,China
  • Received:2025-07-14 Online:2025-10-10 Published:2025-10-10
  • Contact: Weifeng. YAO E-mail:yaowf3@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Objective To explore the role of sevoflurane (SEV) in sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and observe its impact on the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods Forty C57 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 10 each): Sham, CLP, SEV, and SEV + XAV (β-catenin inhibitor). A sepsis model was established via cecal ligation and puncture. Lung injury was evaluated using HE staining, lung wet/dry weight ratio, and TUNEL staining. Levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) were detected by ELISA. Oxidative stress indices (SOD, MDA, ROS) were measured by colorimetry and flow cytometry. Hindlimb blood perfusion and oxygenation were assessed with laser speckle flowmetry. Expressions of key Wnt pathway molecules and downstream target genes (c-Myc, Cyclin D1) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Co-localization of β-catenin and SP-C (a marker of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells) in lung tissues was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Results Compared with the Sham group, the CLP group exhibited significant increases in sepsis severity, lung pathological damage including alveolar structure destruction, inflammatory infiltration, and apoptosis, elevation in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and significant decrease in SOD and increase in MDA and ROS. Additionally, lower limb blood flow and oxygenation levels were significantly reduced, while the expression of β-catenin and its downstream target genes, as well as the co-localization signal and fluorescence intensity of β-catenin with SP-C, were significantly downregulated (all P < 0.05). Compared with the CLP group, the SEV group showed significant improvements in all these indicators. However, compared with the SEV group, the SEV + XAV group demonstrated a reversed protective effect, with all indicators approaching the levels observed in the CLP group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion Sevoflurane alleviates sepsis-induced ALI by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and enhancing the expression and localization of β-catenin in type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells.

Key words: sevoflurane, Wnt/β-catenin, sepsis-induced acute lung injury, oxidative stress, type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells

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