S-Allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine ameliorates elastase-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in mice via regulating autophagy

Autophagy-impairment is involved in the pathological process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and relates to inflammation and emphysema in lung injury. This study aimed to elucidate the protective effect of S-Allylmercapto-N-acetylcysteine (ASSNAC) against COPD via regulating the autophagy. Firstly, porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE)-induced COPD model in A549 cells was established, and ASSNAC was verified to alleviate the autophagy-impairment from the results of western blotting analysis of LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) staining of autophagosome. Secondly, Balb/c mice were stimulated by PPE to induce the COPD model in vivo. The histological analysis of lung tissues presented that ASSNAC could alleviate the lung injury induced by PPE. Thirdly, the secretions of NO, TNF-α and IL-1β in serum and BALF were reduced by ASSNAC compared with the PPE group. Finally, the mechanism of therapeutic effects of ASSNAC against COPD through regulating the autophagy-impairment was clarified. That is, ASSNAC inhibits the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways. In a word, this research provides a reference for ASSNAC to be an effective drug for pulmonary diseases.