Vitexin attenuates smoke inhalation induced acute lung injury in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress via PKC β/p66Shc signaling pathway

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of vitexin on smoke inhalation-induced acute lung injury (SI-ALI), and the underlying mechanism of action.Methods: The ALI rat model was established by inhalation of smoke in a closed smoke chamber. Survival rate, arterial blood gas analysis, wet-to-dry weight ratio of lung tissues, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein concentration, lung tissue histology, and oxidative stress and inflammation level were evaluated. Expressions of protein kinase C β (PKC β), p66Shc, and phosphorylated p66Shc were determined by western blot or quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results: Compared with smoke inhalation group, vitexin alleviated the decline in arterial partial pressure of oxygen (p < 0.05), reduced lung tissue exudation and pathological lung tissue damage, inhibited the expression of PKC β/p66Shc signaling pathway proteins, downregulated the level of oxidative stress and inflammation, and ultimately improved the survival rate in SI-ALI rats (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Vitexin attenuates SI-ALI in rats by alleviating oxidative stress via inhibition of PKC β/p66Shc signaling pathway. Thus, this compound is a potential agent for the treatment of SI-ALI.