The protective effect of infliximab against carbon tetrachloride-induced acute lung injury

Objective(s): Carbon tetrachloride (CCl۴) causes pulmonary toxicity. Infliximab (Ib) is a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). We aimed to investigate whether Ib has a protective effect on CCl۴ induced lung injury. Materials and Methods:Rats were divided into control, CCl۴, and CCl۴+Ib groups. A single dose of ۲ ml/kg CCI۴ was administered to CCI۴ group and a single dose of ۷ mg/kg Ib was given to CCl۴+Ib group ۲۴ hr before applying CCI۴. Results:TNF-α, malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and caspase-۳ levels of the CCl۴ group were markedly higher than both the control and CCl۴+Ib groups. The CCI۴+Ib group had lower histopathological injury than the CCl۴ group. Conclusion:Ib as a strong TNF-α blocker decreases the production of proinflammatory cytokines, MDA, and oxidative stress leading to a protective effect against CCl۴ induced lung tissue injury.

Keywords:

Carbon tetrachloride , Infliximab , Nitric oxide , Pulmonary toxicity , Oxidative stress