Objective:To discuss the role of activation of nuclear factor κappa B (NF-κB) in apoptosis of alveolar macrophages (AM) induced by gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) in acute necrotizing pancreatitis(ANP).
Methods :Thirty sixty adult SD rats were randomized into three groups: normal control group, ANP group and the group treated by GdCl3. ANP was induced by intraductal administration of 5% sodium taurocholate, while the normal control rats received an infusion of normal saline. In GdCl3 treatment group,GdCl3 was injected into dorsal vein of penis right after ANP model was established. AM were harvested by bronchoalveolar lavage six hours after model was established. The generation of TNF-α and IL-1β in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)，and the level of myeloperoxidase in lung tissue were evaluated. The expression of NF-κB protein in AM was determined by western blot. The apoptosis of AM was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometer. The histological examination of lung tissue was checked.
Results:The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in ANP group were significantly higher than the control group and GdCl3 treatment group（P<0.05）. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed the typical apoptotic DNA ladder only seeing in GdCl3 treatment group. The rates of apoptosis of AM in the control group, ANP group and GdCl3 treatment group were （10.81±0.86）%,（6.47±1.52）%，and（17.41±3.36）% respectively, with statistical significance between the different groups（P<0.05）. The relative gray scale of NF-κB was （0.80±0.05）,（1.96±0.15），and（1.42±0.10）respectively, with statistical significance between the different groups（P<0.05）. The apoptotic rate of AM had negative correlation （r＝-0.554，P=0.005）with the positive expression of NF-κB.
Conclusions:GdCl3 could induce the apoptosis of AM by inhibiting expression of NF-κB, and then ameliorate the lung injury of ANP rats.