Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression changes of aquaporins 1(AQP1) in contused lung tissue of rats and its relationship with pulmonary edema. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The pulmonary contusion models were then prepared. The expression and distribution of AQP1 in lung tissue of the rats were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The lung tissue showed edema, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration 1 h, 3 h after pulmonary contusion, and the inflammatory response aggravated after 5 h. AQP1 expression at 1 h, 3 h and 5 h in the contusion group were significantly higher than that of the control group(P<0.01). The expression of AQP1 continued to increase with time and aggravation of edema compared to the control group. AQP1 was mainly distributed in the capillary endothelial cells and interstitial cells of the bronchial and alveolar walls. Although there were no observed changes in AQP1 expression location in contused lung tissue, the intergrated optical density(IOD) showed significant statistical difference(P<0.01). Conclusion There might exist an dysregulation of AQPs gene expression in contused lung tissue, leading to a large number of abnormal transmembrane water transportation and abnormal water accumulation, which may be one of the reasons for pulmonary edema in contused lung tissue.

Key words: forensic pathology, aquaporins 1, contusions, pulmonary edema, rats