HMOX1 and acute respiratory distress syndrome: In contrast, our study is the first to demonstrate the modulation of the NF-κB/Nrf2 axis in ALI, characterized by the suppression of pro-inflammatory mediators (TNF-α, COX-2, IL-6, and IL-1β) and the activation of antioxidant responses (SOD, GSH, catalase, and HO-1).