Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) pretreatment on inflammatory response in ven-tilator-induced lung injury(VILI) mice

so as to explore the underlying mechanism of EA pretreatment on prevention of VILI. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operation group

model group

EA group and sham-acupoint group

with 8 mice in each group. The VILI model was established by ventilation with high tidal volume. Mice in the EA group and sham-acupoint group were given EA at “Zusanli”(ST36)and “Feishu”(BL13) or non-acupoints(located at 1—2 cm on both sides of the tail root of the proximal trunk) before mechanical ventilation

30 min each time

once a day for 5 days. Arterial blood was collec-ted for blood gas analysis

the total protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was detected by BCA method. The contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18) in BALF were detected by ELISA. Lung injury score was determined after HE staining. The protein expression levels of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)

apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain(ASC) and Caspase-1 in lung tissue was detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the sham-operation group

the arterial partial pressure of oxygen and oxygenation index were decreased(P<0.05)

the levels of total protein

IL-1β and IL-18 in BALF

the W/D value and the pathological injury score of lung tissue and the protein expression levels of NLRP3

Caspase-1 and ASC were increased(P<0.05)in the model group. Following the interventions

the above mentioned increased or decreased indicators were reversed(P<0.05) in the EA group rather than in the sham-acupoint group. Conclusion EA pretreatment of ST36 and BL13 can reduce the damage of lung tissue caused by mechanical ventilation

which may be related to its effect in reducing the expression of NLPR3 inflammasome related proteins

reducing the activation of inflammasome

and thereby reducing the inflammatory response.