# Qidonghuoxue Decoction Ameliorates Pulmonary Edema in Acute Lung Injury Mice through the Upregulation of Epithelial Sodium Channel and Aquaporin-1

Authors: Chunfang Ma; Lei Dong; Minjing Li; Wanru Cai
Journal: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
 (2020)

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## Abstract

QDHX decoction is an effective traditional Chinese medicine that has been used to treat ALI, a disease characterized by pulmonary edema and inflammation. In this study, the aim is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of QDHX decoction on improving the alveolar-capillary membrane permeability and alleviating inflammatory response. The BALB/c mice were divided into five groups including the control group, ALI group, ALI + low-dose QDHX decoction, ALI + high-dose QDHX decoction, and ALI + dexamethasone. When the animals were sacrificed, the pathology and wet/dry of lung tissue were tested and confirmed Ali model, the LDH and nucleated cells in BALF, and TNF-α and IL-1β in serum; α-ENaC and AQP-1 in lung tissue were examined. In the results, QDHX decoction downregulated the cytokine such as TNF-α and IL-1β, reduced the nucleated cells, and some biochemical parameters of the BALF. It also ameliorated the ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression induced by LPS in primary epithelial cells. These findings may provide new insights into the application of QDHX decoction for the prevention and treatment of LPS-related ALI.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical disease with high mortality that is characterized by extensive pulmonary edema and excessive inflammation with increased alveolar-capillary membrane permeability [1]. The most obvious pathological phenomenon during early-stage ALI is alveolar epithelial and capillary endothelial cell injury, leading to alveolar sodium and water transport dysfunction, protein-rich fluid retention in the alveolar spaces, and inflammatory cell accumulation [2]. Although the precise mechanism has not yet been completely understood, improvement of inflammation and clearance of excessive edema in the alveolar spaces can effectively alleviate pulmonary edema and improve the outcome of patients with ALI/ARDS.Alveolar epithelial cells are the sites of fluid clearance in alveoli with the active transport of sodium ions (Na+) providing the force for fluid clearance. Normally, Na+ enters the alveolar epithelial cells through the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) on their parietal membrane [3]. Na+ is pumped into the interstitium by the Na+- K+-ATPase, which is localized at the basement membrane to form an osmotic pressure difference after which the water in the alveoli is transferred through aquaporins (AQPs) [4,5]. Therefore, the ENaC and AQPs are important in maintaining the water-sodium balance. The ENaC is expressed in the apical membrane of alveolar epithelial type II cells. It is a heterotrimer composed of three homologous subunits, namely, α-, β-, and γ-ENaC that share a structure consisting of two hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions, intracellular amino- and carboxy-termini, two transmembrane spanning domains, and a large extracellular loop with highly conserved cysteine residues [6]. Previous studies have reported decreased expression of ENaC-α in the apical membrane of alveolar epithelial type II cells after the occurrence of LPS-induced cellular inflammation [7]. AQPs are a group of membrane transporters related to water permeability. To date, studies on the role of AQPs in ALI or pulmonary inflammation have mainly focused on AQP-1 and AQP-5 [8]. AQP-1 is expressed in the endothelial cells of capillaries and venules surrounding the airways and visceral pleura, suggesting that they play a major role in transalveolar water movement. It is also expressed in the epithelial cells participating in water permeability [9–11]. It is well known that AQP-1 provides the principal route for osmotically driven water transport between the airspace and capillary compartments.Given the empirical clinical evidence spanning many centuries and that traditional Chinese medicine- (TCM-) derived compounds have numerous targets, many studies have indicated the potential of TCM as a source of multiple-target drugs. Qidonghuoxue (QDHX) decoction is an effective TCM that has been used to treat ALI and other pulmonary diseases for many years with scientific evidence indicating it has a clinical effect on ALI [12]. It is composed of Astragalus membranaceus, Radix Ophiopogonis, Polygonum cuspidatum, Angelica sinensis, and Rheum officinale. Our previous study revealed that QDHX decoction could protect the lung tissue of ALI mice; however, the molecular mechanism underlying this effect is unknown.We aimed to investigate the effect of QDHX decoction onα-ENaC and AQP-1 expression and provide evidence for the potential use of QDHX decoction as an antiedema agent for the treatment of ALI.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Reagents

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS,Escherichia coli serotype, O111:B4) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, USA). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Dulbecco-modified Eagle medium (DMEM) were purchased from GIBCO (Carlsbad, CA), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for detecting mouse TNF-α and IL-6 were obtained from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute. Antibodies against α-ENaC and AQP-1 were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Beverly, USA).


### 2.2. QDHX Decoction Preparation

The crude herbs that underwent extraction for QDHX decoction were as follows: 20 gAstragalus membranaceus, 12 g Radix Ophiopogonis, 20 g Polygonum cuspidatum, 12 g Angelica sinensis, and 9 g Rheum officinale. These herbs were used to generate a lyophilized powder of QDHX according to the standard procedure. We determined that 1 g of the lyophilized powder contained 4.2 g of crude herbs. The lyophilized powder was stored at 4°C before being resolved with distilled water for usage based on a 1 g/ml (w/v) standard.


### 2.3. Animals and Specimen Collection

Specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice (female; weight: 20 g) were supplied by the Laboratory Animal Research Center of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University. They were maintained under standard conditions for 1 week with free access to food and water and then fasted for 12 h with free access to food and water before each experiment. The use of the animals was approved by the Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University Animal Ethics Committee and conformed to the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.The animals were divided into the following groups and treated as indicated below:(1)
Control group (sham,n = 10): the mice were anesthetized, and the tracheas were exposed followed by endotracheal instillation of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl).(2)
ALI group (n = 10): the mice were treated with 50 μg LPS (5 mg/kg) instead of 0.9% NaCl.(3)
ALI + low-dose QDHX decoction (LDQ; 1 g/mL,n = 10): the mice were intragastrically administered with LDQ for 5 days before endotracheal instillation of LPS.(4)
ALI + high-dose QDHX decoction (HDQ; 5 g/mL, n = 10): the mice were intragastrically administered with HDQ for 5 days before endotracheal instillation of LPS.(5)
ALI + dexamethasone (DEX; 5 mg/kg to the volume 0.4 ml, once daily): the mice were treated with dexamethasone instead of QDHX with the other protocol remaining the same as above.After the animals were sacrificed 24 h after LPS induction, nucleated cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were separated and counted on a Neubauer plate counting board with a volume of 0.1μl. Total protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined by an autobiochemical analysis system (Beckman Coulter, American). Alveolar type II epithelial cells were isolated from the left lungs. Serums were obtained via the orbital vein after eyeball removal for analysis of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). The first one-third of the right lung tissues, which were fixed in 4% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin, were collected to examine for pathological changes. The second one-third of the right lung tissues were collected for dry/wet ratio tests. The final one-third of the right lung tissues were collected to analyze the α-ENaC and AQP-1 levels by western-blot assay. All the samples were preserved in liquid nitrogen until use.


### 2.4. Isolation and Culture of Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells

The lung tissues were cut into small pieces and digested using low-concentration trypsin collagenase I, which was terminated by adding DMEM containing FBS. The cells were digested once again using trypsin, and collagenase I was added after termination. Primary alveolar epithelial cells were purified by differential centrifugation and immune adherence for primary culture. The pneumocyte suspension was incubated in an IgG culture plate where most of the alveolar epithelial cells adhered, and the supernatant was discarded.


### 2.5. Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining

The lung tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 24 h, dehydrated with alcohol, embedded in paraffin, cut into 0.5μm sections, and dewaxed. The sections were stained with hematoxylin for 10 min at room temperature and then placed in eosin for 5 min at room temperature. Finally, the sections were observed under a fluorescent microscope at 400x magnification.


### 2.6. Wet to Dry Weight Ratio (W/D)

The lung tissue was blotted with filter paper to remove any surface moisture and then weighed to obtain the wet weight (W). The samples were then dried at 50°C in an oven for 48 h and then weighed to obtain the dry weight (D). The W/D ratio was then determined as an indicator of tissue edema.


### 2.7. Immunohistochemical Analysis

The lung tissues were divided into two random sections and immunohistochemically analyzed to evaluate the expression ofα-ENaC and AQP-1. The sections were dewaxed in xylene and anhydrous alcohol, cultured in 0.3% hydrogen peroxide to eliminate intrinsic peroxidase, and incubated at 18–20°C in the dark for 10 min. After antigen retrieval, the sections were incubated with the primary antibodies as follows: α-ENaC (1:200, Beverly) and AQP-1 (1:200, CST) for 1 h at 18–20°C with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as the control. Next, the slides were incubated with biotinylated goat anti-mouse and secondary antibody for 30 min at 19–20°. Signals of tagged proteins were amplified and detected by HRP-conjugated streptavidin incubation and 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. Finally, the slides were counterstained with hematoxylin and observed using an Olympus BX41 microscope at ×400 magnification.


### 2.8. Immunofluorescence Staining

Primary alveolar epithelial cells were washed with ice-cold PBS, fixed, permeabilized with 0.2% Triton X-100, and then blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Next, they were incubated with primary antibodies againstα-ENaC (1 : 200) and AQP-1 (1 : 200) followed by Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Images were captured using a fluorescence microscope (Olympus IX2-UCB, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 5.0 software (Media Cybernetics, Inc., Bethesda, USA).


### 2.9. Western Blot and ELISA Analysis

The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed with an ELISA kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The absorbance was read at 450 nm using a microplate reader (Bio-Rad), and the cytokine levels were calculated using standard curves prepared with various concentrations of purified recombinant TNF-α and IL-6.The lung tissue sections were placed in a mortar with liquid nitrogen, and total protein was exacted using radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer containing a protease inhibitor cocktail. The total protein concentration was determined using a bicinchoninic acid assay (BSA) kit. Equal amounts of protein were separated using 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes (Millipore, Billerica, USA). The membranes were blocked in 5% BSA-Tris buffered saline with Tween 20 (TBST) for 1 h and incubated overnight with primary monoclonal antibodies againstα-ENaC (1 : 1000) and AQP-1 (1 : 1000) at 4°C. After being washed thrice with TBST for 10 min each time, the membranes were incubated with HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG for 2 h at room temperature, and the bands were visualized using Quantity One (v4.62) software (Bio-Rad).


### 2.10. Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows (version 22; IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). All the data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Multiple group comparisons were performed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Differences were considered to be significant atP<0.05. Each experiment was repeated at least three times.


## 2.1. Reagents

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS,Escherichia coli serotype, O111:B4) was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (St Louis, USA). Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and Dulbecco-modified Eagle medium (DMEM) were purchased from GIBCO (Carlsbad, CA), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits for detecting mouse TNF-α and IL-6 were obtained from Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute. Antibodies against α-ENaC and AQP-1 were purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Beverly, USA).


## 2.2. QDHX Decoction Preparation

The crude herbs that underwent extraction for QDHX decoction were as follows: 20 gAstragalus membranaceus, 12 g Radix Ophiopogonis, 20 g Polygonum cuspidatum, 12 g Angelica sinensis, and 9 g Rheum officinale. These herbs were used to generate a lyophilized powder of QDHX according to the standard procedure. We determined that 1 g of the lyophilized powder contained 4.2 g of crude herbs. The lyophilized powder was stored at 4°C before being resolved with distilled water for usage based on a 1 g/ml (w/v) standard.


## 2.3. Animals and Specimen Collection

Specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice (female; weight: 20 g) were supplied by the Laboratory Animal Research Center of Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University. They were maintained under standard conditions for 1 week with free access to food and water and then fasted for 12 h with free access to food and water before each experiment. The use of the animals was approved by the Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University Animal Ethics Committee and conformed to the Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.The animals were divided into the following groups and treated as indicated below:(1)
Control group (sham,n = 10): the mice were anesthetized, and the tracheas were exposed followed by endotracheal instillation of 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl).(2)
ALI group (n = 10): the mice were treated with 50 μg LPS (5 mg/kg) instead of 0.9% NaCl.(3)
ALI + low-dose QDHX decoction (LDQ; 1 g/mL,n = 10): the mice were intragastrically administered with LDQ for 5 days before endotracheal instillation of LPS.(4)
ALI + high-dose QDHX decoction (HDQ; 5 g/mL, n = 10): the mice were intragastrically administered with HDQ for 5 days before endotracheal instillation of LPS.(5)
ALI + dexamethasone (DEX; 5 mg/kg to the volume 0.4 ml, once daily): the mice were treated with dexamethasone instead of QDHX with the other protocol remaining the same as above.After the animals were sacrificed 24 h after LPS induction, nucleated cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were separated and counted on a Neubauer plate counting board with a volume of 0.1μl. Total protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined by an autobiochemical analysis system (Beckman Coulter, American). Alveolar type II epithelial cells were isolated from the left lungs. Serums were obtained via the orbital vein after eyeball removal for analysis of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6). The first one-third of the right lung tissues, which were fixed in 4% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin, were collected to examine for pathological changes. The second one-third of the right lung tissues were collected for dry/wet ratio tests. The final one-third of the right lung tissues were collected to analyze the α-ENaC and AQP-1 levels by western-blot assay. All the samples were preserved in liquid nitrogen until use.


## 2.4. Isolation and Culture of Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells

The lung tissues were cut into small pieces and digested using low-concentration trypsin collagenase I, which was terminated by adding DMEM containing FBS. The cells were digested once again using trypsin, and collagenase I was added after termination. Primary alveolar epithelial cells were purified by differential centrifugation and immune adherence for primary culture. The pneumocyte suspension was incubated in an IgG culture plate where most of the alveolar epithelial cells adhered, and the supernatant was discarded.


## 2.5. Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining

The lung tissues were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde at room temperature for 24 h, dehydrated with alcohol, embedded in paraffin, cut into 0.5μm sections, and dewaxed. The sections were stained with hematoxylin for 10 min at room temperature and then placed in eosin for 5 min at room temperature. Finally, the sections were observed under a fluorescent microscope at 400x magnification.


## 2.6. Wet to Dry Weight Ratio (W/D)

The lung tissue was blotted with filter paper to remove any surface moisture and then weighed to obtain the wet weight (W). The samples were then dried at 50°C in an oven for 48 h and then weighed to obtain the dry weight (D). The W/D ratio was then determined as an indicator of tissue edema.


## 2.7. Immunohistochemical Analysis

The lung tissues were divided into two random sections and immunohistochemically analyzed to evaluate the expression ofα-ENaC and AQP-1. The sections were dewaxed in xylene and anhydrous alcohol, cultured in 0.3% hydrogen peroxide to eliminate intrinsic peroxidase, and incubated at 18–20°C in the dark for 10 min. After antigen retrieval, the sections were incubated with the primary antibodies as follows: α-ENaC (1:200, Beverly) and AQP-1 (1:200, CST) for 1 h at 18–20°C with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as the control. Next, the slides were incubated with biotinylated goat anti-mouse and secondary antibody for 30 min at 19–20°. Signals of tagged proteins were amplified and detected by HRP-conjugated streptavidin incubation and 3,3-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. Finally, the slides were counterstained with hematoxylin and observed using an Olympus BX41 microscope at ×400 magnification.


## 2.8. Immunofluorescence Staining

Primary alveolar epithelial cells were washed with ice-cold PBS, fixed, permeabilized with 0.2% Triton X-100, and then blocked with 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA). Next, they were incubated with primary antibodies againstα-ENaC (1 : 200) and AQP-1 (1 : 200) followed by Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG. Images were captured using a fluorescence microscope (Olympus IX2-UCB, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and analyzed using Image-Pro Plus 5.0 software (Media Cybernetics, Inc., Bethesda, USA).


## 2.9. Western Blot and ELISA Analysis

The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed with an ELISA kit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The absorbance was read at 450 nm using a microplate reader (Bio-Rad), and the cytokine levels were calculated using standard curves prepared with various concentrations of purified recombinant TNF-α and IL-6.The lung tissue sections were placed in a mortar with liquid nitrogen, and total protein was exacted using radioimmunoprecipitation assay buffer containing a protease inhibitor cocktail. The total protein concentration was determined using a bicinchoninic acid assay (BSA) kit. Equal amounts of protein were separated using 12% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to polyvinylidene difluoride membranes (Millipore, Billerica, USA). The membranes were blocked in 5% BSA-Tris buffered saline with Tween 20 (TBST) for 1 h and incubated overnight with primary monoclonal antibodies againstα-ENaC (1 : 1000) and AQP-1 (1 : 1000) at 4°C. After being washed thrice with TBST for 10 min each time, the membranes were incubated with HRP-conjugated anti-rabbit IgG for 2 h at room temperature, and the bands were visualized using Quantity One (v4.62) software (Bio-Rad).


## 2.10. Statistical Analysis

Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for Windows (version 22; IBM Corporation, Chicago, IL, USA). All the data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Multiple group comparisons were performed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Differences were considered to be significant atP<0.05. Each experiment was repeated at least three times.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. QDHX Decoction Alleviated Pulmonary Edema in the ALI Mice

We used an LPS-induced Ali model with pulmonary edema using female C57BL/6 mice. Dexamethasone is clinically used to treat inflammation, as the positive control drug [13]. H&E staining indicated no significant change in the lung tissues in the sham group. The degree of pulmonary edema in the lung tissue varied across the treatment groups with the LPS group demonstrating the most severe change (Figure 1(a)). In the ALI group, we found alveolar thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary interstitial and alveolar space edema. These phenomena were ameliorated in the ALI + LDQ and ALI + HDQ group in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 1(a)).Figure 1
Effect of QDHX decoction on pulmonary edema in the ALI mice. (a) Lung tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (original magnifications 200x and 400x). (b) The wet/dry ratio of each group. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group. The red arrows show inflammatory cell infiltration. The green arrows show the alveolar thickening and alveolar structural damage.
(a)(b)Next, we used the W/D ratio to estimate the severity of the ALI edema. We found a significantly increased W/D ratio in the LPS group than that in the sham group. In contrast, the W/D ratio was decreased in the groups treated with QDHX decoction in a dose-dependent manner (Figure1(b)).


### 3.2. QDHX Decoction Reduced the Number of Cells and Improved Some Biochemical Parameters in the BALF of the ALI Mice

Presence of nucleated cells or neutrophils indicated inflammation in the ALI mice, while total protein elevation in the BALF indicated alveolar edema exudation. Furthermore, LDH is a biochemical indicator of cell membrane damage. In this study, we assessed the effect of QDHX decoction on nucleated cells and biochemical parameters in the ALI mice. Compared with the sham group, there was an increase in the nucleated cells, neutrophils, total protein, and LDH levels in the Ali group. We found that the QDHX decoction improved these parameters and protected the ALI mice from inflammation damage and alveolar edema exudation in a dose-dependent manner (Figure2).Figure 2
Effect of the QDHX decoction on nucleated cells and some biochemical parameters of the BALF. (a) The nucleated cells and neutrophils in the BALF of all the groups. (b) The total protein and LDH levels in the BALF of all the mice. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group.
(a)(b)


### 3.3. QDHX Decoction Suppressed Cytokine Production in the Serum of the ALI Mice

LPS challenge induces an inflammatory reaction and cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-1β) and aggravates the pulmonary edema in ALI mice. In this experiment, we investigated whether the QDHX decoction inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum. We found stimulation with LPS alone induced TNF-α and IL-1β production, while treatment with QDHX decoction inhibited the TNF-α and IL-1β production in a dose-dependent manner; however, there was no significant difference between the low-dose and high-dose group (Figure 3).Figure 3
Effect of QDHX decoction on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. The serum cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1β) were assayed by ELISA. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group.


### 3.4. QDHX Decoction Ameliorated the LPS-Induced Effect on ENaC-α and AQP-1 Expression in the ALI Mice

Pulmonary edema in ALI is mainly caused by water-sodium imbalance, which is closely related to ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in alveolar epithelial cells. Thus, we performed an immunohistochemistry assay to assess ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in lung tissue. ENaC-α and AQP-1 in the epithelial cells are marked with yellow or brown (Figure 4). We found that LPS administration alone inhibited ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression compared with that in the sham group, while treatment with the QDHX decoction decreased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression and protected the lung tissues (Figure 4).Figure 4
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissues. Lung tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. Changes in the ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression levels in the lungs were examined under a microscope (original magnification: 400x). Positive epithelial cells are shown with a yellow or brown membrane. Data were analyzed using Image-Pro Plus software.


### 3.5. QDHX Decoction Decreased the Effect of ENaC-α and AQP-1 Induced by LPS Challenge in Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells

ENaC-α and AQP-1 are mainly located in the membrane of epithelial cells. Therefore, we isolated the primary epithelial cells using differential centrifugation and immune adherence for primary culture. As expected, we found that LPS decreased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the epithelial cells compared with that in the sham group, while treatment with the QDHX decoction enhanced their expression in a dose-dependent manner (Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).Figure 5
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the epithelial cells. The localization of ENaC-α and AQP-1 was determined using fluorescence staining. Cells were immunostained with primary antibodies against ENaC-α and AQP-1 and then stained with Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody. The nucleus was stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Merged pictures indicated that the cells’ fluorescence and DAPI overlap (× 600 magnification).
(a)(b)


### 3.6. QDHX Decoction Improved LPS-Induced ENaC-α and AQP-1 Expression in the ALI Mice

As mentioned above, ENaC-α and AQP-1 play an important role in sodium and water transport. Therefore, to confirm the effect of the QDHX decoction on pulmonary edema, we measured ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissue through western-blot assay. We found that QDHX decoction increased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression to reduce pulmonary edema (Figure 6).Figure 6
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissue using western blot. Western blot analysis was performed with the indicated antibody. Bands were quantified by densitometry, and the results are presented as the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.01 vs. LPS group.


## 3.1. QDHX Decoction Alleviated Pulmonary Edema in the ALI Mice

We used an LPS-induced Ali model with pulmonary edema using female C57BL/6 mice. Dexamethasone is clinically used to treat inflammation, as the positive control drug [13]. H&E staining indicated no significant change in the lung tissues in the sham group. The degree of pulmonary edema in the lung tissue varied across the treatment groups with the LPS group demonstrating the most severe change (Figure 1(a)). In the ALI group, we found alveolar thickening, inflammatory cell infiltration, and pulmonary interstitial and alveolar space edema. These phenomena were ameliorated in the ALI + LDQ and ALI + HDQ group in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 1(a)).Figure 1
Effect of QDHX decoction on pulmonary edema in the ALI mice. (a) Lung tissue sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (original magnifications 200x and 400x). (b) The wet/dry ratio of each group. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group. The red arrows show inflammatory cell infiltration. The green arrows show the alveolar thickening and alveolar structural damage.
(a)(b)Next, we used the W/D ratio to estimate the severity of the ALI edema. We found a significantly increased W/D ratio in the LPS group than that in the sham group. In contrast, the W/D ratio was decreased in the groups treated with QDHX decoction in a dose-dependent manner (Figure1(b)).


## 3.2. QDHX Decoction Reduced the Number of Cells and Improved Some Biochemical Parameters in the BALF of the ALI Mice

Presence of nucleated cells or neutrophils indicated inflammation in the ALI mice, while total protein elevation in the BALF indicated alveolar edema exudation. Furthermore, LDH is a biochemical indicator of cell membrane damage. In this study, we assessed the effect of QDHX decoction on nucleated cells and biochemical parameters in the ALI mice. Compared with the sham group, there was an increase in the nucleated cells, neutrophils, total protein, and LDH levels in the Ali group. We found that the QDHX decoction improved these parameters and protected the ALI mice from inflammation damage and alveolar edema exudation in a dose-dependent manner (Figure2).Figure 2
Effect of the QDHX decoction on nucleated cells and some biochemical parameters of the BALF. (a) The nucleated cells and neutrophils in the BALF of all the groups. (b) The total protein and LDH levels in the BALF of all the mice. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group.
(a)(b)


## 3.3. QDHX Decoction Suppressed Cytokine Production in the Serum of the ALI Mice

LPS challenge induces an inflammatory reaction and cytokine production (TNF-α and IL-1β) and aggravates the pulmonary edema in ALI mice. In this experiment, we investigated whether the QDHX decoction inhibited the production of TNF-α and IL-1β in serum. We found stimulation with LPS alone induced TNF-α and IL-1β production, while treatment with QDHX decoction inhibited the TNF-α and IL-1β production in a dose-dependent manner; however, there was no significant difference between the low-dose and high-dose group (Figure 3).Figure 3
Effect of QDHX decoction on the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. The serum cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-1β) were assayed by ELISA. The results are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 10 for each group). #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.05 vs. ALI group.


## 3.4. QDHX Decoction Ameliorated the LPS-Induced Effect on ENaC-α and AQP-1 Expression in the ALI Mice

Pulmonary edema in ALI is mainly caused by water-sodium imbalance, which is closely related to ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in alveolar epithelial cells. Thus, we performed an immunohistochemistry assay to assess ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in lung tissue. ENaC-α and AQP-1 in the epithelial cells are marked with yellow or brown (Figure 4). We found that LPS administration alone inhibited ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression compared with that in the sham group, while treatment with the QDHX decoction decreased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression and protected the lung tissues (Figure 4).Figure 4
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissues. Lung tissues were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. Changes in the ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression levels in the lungs were examined under a microscope (original magnification: 400x). Positive epithelial cells are shown with a yellow or brown membrane. Data were analyzed using Image-Pro Plus software.


## 3.5. QDHX Decoction Decreased the Effect of ENaC-α and AQP-1 Induced by LPS Challenge in Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells

ENaC-α and AQP-1 are mainly located in the membrane of epithelial cells. Therefore, we isolated the primary epithelial cells using differential centrifugation and immune adherence for primary culture. As expected, we found that LPS decreased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the epithelial cells compared with that in the sham group, while treatment with the QDHX decoction enhanced their expression in a dose-dependent manner (Figures 5(a) and 5(b)).Figure 5
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the epithelial cells. The localization of ENaC-α and AQP-1 was determined using fluorescence staining. Cells were immunostained with primary antibodies against ENaC-α and AQP-1 and then stained with Alexa Fluor 488-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody. The nucleus was stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Merged pictures indicated that the cells’ fluorescence and DAPI overlap (× 600 magnification).
(a)(b)


## 3.6. QDHX Decoction Improved LPS-Induced ENaC-α and AQP-1 Expression in the ALI Mice

As mentioned above, ENaC-α and AQP-1 play an important role in sodium and water transport. Therefore, to confirm the effect of the QDHX decoction on pulmonary edema, we measured ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissue through western-blot assay. We found that QDHX decoction increased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression to reduce pulmonary edema (Figure 6).Figure 6
Effect of QDHX decoction on ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in the lung tissue using western blot. Western blot analysis was performed with the indicated antibody. Bands were quantified by densitometry, and the results are presented as the mean ± SD of 3 independent experiments. #P<0.01 vs. sham group; ##P<0.01 vs. LPS group.


## 4. Discussion

QDHX decoction, which is a TCM decoction, has been used for over 30 years to effectively treat respiratory diseases such as ALI and ARDS. In vivo and in vitro studies have validated QDHX decoction as an anti-inflammatory drug for treating ALI [12]. We found that QDHX decoction can inhibit LPS-induced secretion of some proinflammatory cytokines in the ALI mice model. Furthermore, some studies have proved that QDHX could relieve the inflammatory response in ALI mice, possibly by inhibiting the caveolin-1 signaling pathway [12]. Although many studies have been performed, the pathogenesis of ALI and the anti-ALI mechanism of QDHX decoction have not yet been fully elucidated.ALI is a complex and devastating clinical syndrome involving pulmonary edema and microvascular damage that is caused by uncontrolled inflammation. Excessive inflammation is one of the leading causes of secondary damage such as pulmonary edema and fibrosis [14–16]. TNF-α is the earliest and most important cytokine during the inflammatory reaction. It can activate macrophages and promote the release of various mediators and several signal pathways including phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-kappaB in diverse cellular processes including cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, cell damage, and immune responses [17, 18]. Increased IL-1β and TNF-α levels have been reported in patients with ALI and have been associated with adverse events potentially leading to epithelial cell injury and alveolar fluid leakage. This indicates that IL-1β contributes significantly to increased epithelial repair processes [19, 20]. We found that the administration of QDHX decoction reduced the TNF-α and IL-1β production, which facilitated the recovery of lung tissue from inflammatory injury and reduced pulmonary edema.As mentioned previously, ENaC-α and AQP-1 are involved in sodium and water homeostasis. Studies have shown that inflammatory mediators downregulate ENaC-α and AQP-1 protein expression and impede pulmonary edema fluid removal, which in turn increases pulmonary vascular permeability in patients with ARDS [21]. Rafii B et al. found that ENaC-α-deficient neonatal mice failed to clear lung fluid and developed respiratory distress with death occurring within 40 h of birth [22]. Roux et al. reported that IL-1β reduces ENaC-α expression and activity, inhibits lung epithelial sodium absorption, and ultimately contributes to alveolar edema [23]. In this study, we found that LPS administration decreased ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression in lung tissues and alveolar epithelial cells, which was improved by QDHX decoction treatment. These findings could be helpful in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the protective role of QDHX decoction.In conclusion, we found that QDHX decoction alleviated the release of inflammatory cytokines and reduced their effects on organ and tissue damage. Furthermore, it regulated capillary permeability and effectively reduced the occurrence of pulmonary edema by increasing ENaC-α and AQP-1 expression. Our findings may provide new insights into the application of TCM for the prevention and treatment of LPS-related ALI.



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*Source: 2492304-2020-09-27.xml*