Objective   To study the expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) protein in acute lung injury (ALI) and the effect of captopril on this expression in order to investigate its role in the process and preliminary intervention.    Methods   Sprague-Dawley rats we

re randomly divided into 3 groups

normal control group

lipopolysaccharide (LPS) groups

and a LPS+captopril group

each group 10 rats. ALI model was induced by intratracheal injection of LPS (5 mg/kg)

then those of LPS+captopril group were give an intraperitoneal injection of captopril (1.25 mg/kg). The animals of normal control group received an intratracheal injection of normal saline. In 6 h after LPS injection

the level of P(O

2

)

wet/dry ratio (W/D)

concentration of total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue histopathological changes were examined. The expression of LOX-1 protein in the lung tissue was measured by Western blot analysis. HE staining was used to examine the pathological changes of the lung.    Results   Histological examination showed that extensive lung inflammation were seen in the LPS group

which manifested by accumulation of significant numbers of neutrophils. The level of P(O

2

) in LPS group [(6.86±0.75) kPa

]

was decreased compared with that in sham group [(12.14±0.60) kPa

P0.05

]

. The level of W/D (7.47±0.31)

concentration of total protein in BALF (0.39±0.07) g/L and the expression of LOX-1 protein (0.91±0.12) in LPS group were increased significantly compared with W/D (3.82±0.21)

total protein in BALF (0.26±0.05) g/L and LOX-1 expression of protein in sham group (0.38±0.05) (P0.05)

]

. Compared with LPS group

these changes were markedly attenuated in LPS+captopril group (P0.05) [W/D (5.21±0.08)

total protein in BALF (0.34±0.05) g/L

and LOX-1 protein expression (0.43±0.08)

and the level of P(O

2

)(9.43±0.89) kPa

]

and pathological changes of the lung were also ameliorated in this group.    Conclusion   LOX-1 protein may be involved in the pathogenesis of ALI. Captopril exerts a protective effect on ALI

which may be through inhibiting the expression of LOX-1 protein.