AKT1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Deng et al. [55] also reported that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was downregulated in an LPS-induced ALI rat model; however, they found that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation can enhance the activity of alveolar sodium channels and Na+-K+-ATP, thereby removing the excess edema fluid and reducing the exudation of protein-rich fluid in the alveoli, which ultimately reduces lung tissue damage [56].