Abstract:In view of the complex etiology and pathogenesis, the mortality of acute lung injury remains high, which seriously threaten human health and affect the quality of life. Studies in recent years found that cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) played an important role in the course of systemic inflammatory reaction. Its mechanism is related to inhibit the inflammatory response synthesis by suppressing vagus nerve to release proinflammatory cytokines. As a central player in the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, Alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) can negatively regulate ALI caused by many factors. The present review focuses on the anti–inflammatory mechanism of acute lung injury.