CISATRACURIUM-INDUCED EFFECTS ON MICROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL AND LUNG EPITHELIAL CELLS

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a severe condition of acute lung injury (ALI) is associated with hypoxemic lung damage, inflammation, respiratory failure, and high rates of mortality. Matrix metalloproteinase protein-3 (MMP3 or Stromelysin-1) is known to promote vascular injury in ALI/ARDS. Cisatracurium, a nicotinic neuromuscular blocker, is used in ARDS patients to decrease mechanical ventilator dysschrony, increase oxygenation, and improve mortality. There is a gap in the knowledge of the potential protective benefits of cisatracurium on the lung endothelial and the epithelial cells and the underlying mechanisms. The objective of the current Master of Science Research dissertation is to investigate the effect of cisatracurium on MMP3 expression/activity in endothelial and lung epithelial cells, in turn, preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage. In our results, although cisatracurium decreased MMP3 expression/activity and increased expression of cell junction proteins, its effects on cell-

cell permeability and pro-inflammatory pathways were modest.