Both WT and Eexp mice showed defective VEGF signaling (decreased lung VEGF-R2 protein) and loss of pulmonary microvessels after lengthy MV-O(2), suggesting that elafin's beneficial effects during MV-O(2) derived primarily from preserving matrix elastin and suppressing lung inflammation, thereby enabling alveolar formation during MV-O(2).
In addition, SC-560 decreased intrapulmonary shunts, attenuated pulmonary inflammation and angiogenesis through down-regulating COX-, NFκB- and VEGF-mediated pathways.
Generally, it could be confirmed that regular submaximal aerobic training plays an important role in inhibition of the effects of lung inflammation induced by NNK via decreased levels of VEGF and annexin A2.