Introduction: Acute lung injury (ALI) is one of the most dangerous illnesses affecting the lungs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients developed ALI and ultimately lung failure. Local exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is associated with cytokine production by the lung resulting in the infiltration of neutrophils and other mononuclear cells. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein that binds iron and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Aim of the Work: To evaluate the possible therapeutic effects of lactoferrin versus dexamethasone (DEXA) on the structure of the lung in a model of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in adult rats.
Material and Methods: Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups. Group I (control group), Group II (LPS group), Group III (LPS+LF group), Group IV (LPS+DEXA group). After 24 hours from the injections of both LF and DEXA, the lung specimens were processed for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), periodic acid Schiff (PAS), orcein, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemical reaction for inducible nitric oxide (iNOS). Morphometric and statistical analysis were also done.
Results: H&E-stained sections of group II showed marked thickening of interalveolar septa (IAS) with heavy inflammatory cell infiltrations (neutrophils and macrophages). Most alveoli appeared narrowed and collapsed. Some bronchiolar epithelium appeared desquamated with cellular infiltration. A significant increase in the mean number of goblet cells and mast cells was detected. A disruption of elastic fibers was also noticed. A significant increased reaction to iNOS antibodies was also detected. On the other hand, the lung structure in group III and group IV showed significant improvement in all parameters.
Conclusion: Both lactoferrin and dexamethasone showed therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-induced ALI. These effects were more prominent in the dexamethasone group than the lactoferrin group as detected by microscopic, morphometric, and statistical studies.