Digoxin attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via NF-κB and HIF-1α inhibition. (PubMed, Biomol Biomed)
The LPS group (5 mg/kg, intratracheal) was assigned to either prophylactic regimens (daily saline, dexamethasone 5 mg/kg, or digoxin 1 mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally for 5 days prior to LPS) or therapeutic regimens (same interventions initiated 12 h post-LPS for 3 days). At the study endpoint, pulmonary edema (wet-to-dry ratio) and lung injury pathways were analyzed in lung homogenates, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-6, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), NF-κB (p65) DNA-binding activity, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2/macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (CXCL2/MIP-2), and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), alongside histopathological evaluations. It also strongly inhibited NF-κB activation, reducing CXCL2/MIP-2, while decreasing HIF-1α in both regimens (each p < 0.001). Histological analysis corroborated these findings, revealing improved alveolar architecture and reduced inflammatory injury. In conclusion, digoxin exhibits potent immunomodulatory activity in experimental ALI, warranting further translational research focused on dose optimization and safety profiling.