Flutamide attenuates pro-inflammatory cytokine production and hepatic injury following trauma-hemorrhage via estrogen receptor-related pathway

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mechanism by which flutamide administration following trauma-hemorrhage (T-H) decreases cytokine production and hepatic injury under those conditions. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although studies have demonstrated that flutamide administration following T-H improves hepatic and immune functions, the mechanism by which flutamide produces the salutary effects remains unknown. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a 5-cm laparotomy and hemorrhagic shock (40 mm Hg for approximately 90 minutes), followed by resuscitation with 4 times the shed blood volume in the form of Ringer's lactate. Flutamide (25 mg/kg body weight, sc) was administered at the middle of resuscitation and animals were killed 2 hours thereafter. To block estrogen receptor (ER), ER antagonist ICI 182,780 was administrated with flutamide. RESULTS: Hepatic injury, myeloperoxidase activity, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) DNA binding activity and protein expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC-1 and CINC-3) markedly increased following T-H. Hepatic mRNA and plasma IL-6 levels were also elevated following T-H. The alterations in these parameters induced by T-H were significantly attenuated by flutamide administration. The decreased plasma estradiol levels following T-H were restored to sham levels in the flutamide-treated T-H animals. Coadministration of ICI 182,780 prevented those salutary effects of flutamide administration on pro-inflammatory responses and hepatic injury following T-H. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the reduction in the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and hepatic injury produced by flutamide administration following T-H is likely due to the down-regulation in hepatic NF-kappaB DNA binding activity. Moreover, the salutary effects of flutamide administration appear to be mediated at least in part via ER-related pathway.     

Cardiac and hepatic metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats following acute blood loss

Seven spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and eight Wistar-St rats were used to assess the influence of hemorrhage on myocardial and hepatic energy metabolism. They received 2% halothane and pancuronium, 0.3mg·kg^–1, during preparation. After discontinuation of halothane, blood (2ml·100g body weight^–1) was gradually withdrawn over a 5min period from a femoral artery. Thirty min after induction of hemorrhage, the heart and liver were removed and myocardial and hepatic metabolites (ATP, lactate, pyruvate and glycogen) were measured by the enzymatic methods. Acidosis and decreased hematocrit were noted in the both groups after hemorrhage. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) in SHR was significantly higher than that in Wistar rat before hemorrhage. However, there were no significant differences in MAP and heart rate between the two groups after hemorrhage. Although there were no significant differences in cardiac metabolites, a significant decrease of hepatic ATP and an increase of hepatic lactate/pyruvate ratio were found in SHR when compared with Wistar rat. These results suggest that human hypertensive disease may run a high risk in connection with acute hemorrhage.(Kashimoto S, Nonaka A, Nakamura T, et al: Cardiac and hepatic metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats following acute blood loss. J Anesth 6: 284–288, 1992)     

Unilateral adrenalectomy attenuates hemorrhagic shock-induced analgesia in rats

Purpose To assess the importance of the pituitary adrenal axis in producing stress-induced analgesia (SIA) after hemorrhagic shock, we performed formalin tests after hemorrhage and reinfusion in unilaterally adrenalectomized or sham-operated rats. Methods Fifty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: sham-operation normotensive (n = 8), sham-operation shock (n = 8), adrenalectomy normotensive (n = 7), adrenalectomy shock (n = 7), sham-operation shock + yohimbine (n = 7), sham-operation normotensive + corticosterone (n = 7), and adrenalectomy shock + corticosterone (n = 8). The left adrenal gland was cauterized 24 h before the experiment. The mean blood pressure in the shock groups was kept at 50–60 mmHg for 30 min by draining arterial blood. After the blood-reinfusion or observation period, 10% formalin was injected into the rear paw. Nociceptive behaviors and locomotion were observed and rated for 1 h, using the criteria of Dubuisson and Dennis. In 12 other sham-operated and adrenalectomized rats, plasma adrenalin, noradrenalin, and corticosterone concentrations were measured before and after hemorrhagic shock. Results Although the sham-operation shock group showed a lower pain score, the adrenalectomy shock group showed nociceptive behavior similar to that in the normotensive groups. Yohimbine did not affect the SIA; however, corticosterone administration reversed the effects of the adrenalectomy on the SIA. The plasma corticosterone levels in the unilaterally adrenalectomized rats were lower than those in the sham-operated rats and did not increase after hemorrhagic shock. Conclusion These results suggest that adrenocortical systems play an important role in hemorrhagic shock-induced SIA.     

丙泊酚和芬太尼预处理减轻急性失血性休克兔心肌损伤的观察

目的 观察丙泊酚和芬太尼预处理对急性失血性休克家兔心肌缺血损伤的影响.方法 24只家兔随机均分为丙泊酚预处理组(P组)、芬太尼预处理组(F组)和对照组(C组).按Wigger's改良法制作家兔失血性休克模型.放血前各组分别给予等容量丙泊酚5 mg/kg、芬太尼25 μg/kg和生理盐水.放血使MAP降至约40 mmHg.持续监测MAP、左室压(LVP)、左室收缩压最大上升和下降速率(±dp/dtmax).放血前、放血后60 min和90 min抽血测定血清心肌肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cTnI)浓度,实验结束时取心尖部组织行电镜检查.结果 各组放血后MAP、LVP、±dp/dtmax均明显下降,但P组和F组明显高于C组(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).cTnI在放血后60 min和90 min与放血前比较均明显增高(P＜0.01),P组和F组增高程度低于C组(P＜0.01),P组和F组之间差异无统计学意义.电镜检查发现P组和F组心肌损伤较C组减轻.结论 丙泊酚和芬太尼预处理均能减轻家兔急性失血性休克后的心肌损伤.     

失血性休克后肠黏膜损伤与急性肺损伤相关性研究进展

背景 失血性休克后急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)的发生机制尚不完全明了,但是休克后机体失控性全身炎症反应综合征(systemic inflammatory response syndrome,SIRS)在ALI的发生发展过程中起着关键性作用,而休克后肠道黏膜损伤被认为是SIRS的始动因素. 目的 就失血性休克对肠道血供、肠黏膜屏障结构与功能的影响及失血性休克期间肠源性炎性因子的产生及其在ALI发生中的作用作一综述. 内容 讨论失血性休克后机体肠黏膜损伤对SIRS的影响及导致ALI的相关机制. 趋向 阐明失血性休克后ALI的发生机制,为失血性休克的救治提供依据.     

MCI-186 (edaravone), a free radical scavenger, attenuates hepatic warm ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Hepatic warm ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) during hepatectomy and liver transplantation is a major cause of liver dysfunction in which the pathologic role of free radicals is a major concern. To assess the effect of MCI-186 (edaravone) on hepatic IRI, male Wistar rats were subjected to partial hepatic ischemia for 60 min after pretreatment with vehicle (group C) or MCI-186 (group M), or after both MCI-186 pretreatment and additional administration of MCI-186 12 h after reperfusion (group MX). Groups M and MX showed significantly lower levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic lipid peroxidation than group C, and also significantly lower expression levels of mRNA for cytokines, chemokines and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. There were fewer tissue monocytes and neutrophils in groups M and MX than in group C. These effects were more marked in group MX than in group M. Our findings suggest that treatment with MCI-186 attenuates hepatic IRI in this rat in vivo model.     

高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉复合液对失血性休克肺的保护作用

目的观察用高渗氯化钠羟乙基淀粉复合液(7.5%氯化钠 6%羟乙基淀粉200/0.5,HHS)小容量复苏对失血性休克后肺损伤的影响。方法雄性SD大鼠随机分为五组:正常对照组(CON组,n=6):不放血不补液;其他大鼠通过放血使MAP降至45mmHg并维持120min,然后分为:休克组(SH组,n=6),不补液复苏;HHS组(n=8),用HHS5ml/kg静脉滴注;7.5%氯化钠高渗溶液组(HTS组,n=6),用7.5%NaCl5ml/kg静脉滴注;复方乳酸钠组(LR组,n=7),用3倍失血量的复方乳酸钠静脉滴注。观察休克2h末、补液结束即刻、15、30、60、120、180min时MAP、CVP的变化,测定补液结束2、24h存活动物的氧合指数和肺水含量、肺髓过氧化物酶(MPO)水平、肺损伤评分。结果在补液结束120、180min,HTS组MAP、CVP低于HHS和LR组(P<0.05);在补液结束24h,HHS组氧合指数、肺水含量、肺MPO水平、肺损伤评分优于HTS和LR组(P<0.05)。结论用HHS小容量复苏失血性休克,维持血流动力学稳定时间更长;对肺组织的保护作用优于7.5%氯化钠高渗溶液或复方乳酸钠。     

蛋白酶体抑制剂bortezomib对胆道梗阻大鼠肝脏的保护作用

目的探讨蛋白酶体抑制剂bortezomib对胆道梗阻大鼠肝脏的保护作用.方法将30只大鼠随机分为假手术组(SO组)、胆道梗阻对照组(Con组)和bortezomib实验组(Bor组).Con组通过胆总管结扎建立大鼠胆道梗阻模型,Bor组同法结扎胆总管并于术前1 d、术后第3天腹腔注射bortezomib,假手术组仅行剖腹和胆总管游离.所有大鼠均于术后7 d处死,处死前采集血清测定血清丙氨酸转氨酶(ALT),总胆红素(TB)和总胆汁酸(TBA)水平.免疫组化染色测定肝组织NF-κBp65含量.逆转录-聚合酶联反应测定肝脏组织中TNF-α mRNA水平.结果Con组与Bor组的TB和TBA水平并差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),而Bor组的ALT水平[(92.4±21.4)μmo1/L]明显低于Con组[(145.7±33.5)μmol/L],P＜0.05.Bor组的NF-κB p65亚基阳性染色率(11.6%±2.7%)明显低于Con组(15.5%±4.3%),P＜0.05.而逆转录-聚合酶联反应发现,Bor组TNF-αmRNA相对表达量(1.0±0.2)明显低于Con组(1.3±0.4),P＜0.05.结论bortezomib可以通过抑制NF-κB的活化减少炎症反应的发生,从而减轻因胆道梗阻引起的肝脏损害.     

Regulation of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses by Kupffer cells in endotoxin-enhanced reperfusion injury after total hepatic ischemia

The effects of Kupffer cells on cytokine responses in endotoxin-enhanced reperfusion injury after total hepatic ischemia were investigated in this study. Male rats pretreated with either normal saline solution (NS group) or gadolinium chloride (GdCl(3)) to inhibit Kupffer cell function (GC group) were subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia. These animals received either normal saline solution or sublethal doses of endotoxin (1 mg/kg) at reperfusion. In the NS group, endotoxin administration induced an enhanced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 production 1 h after reperfusion with a subsequent peak of macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) levels, which resulted in a 7-day survival rate of 30%. Despite endotoxin administration, GdCl(3) pretreatment significantly suppressed TNF-alpha and increased interleukin-10 production 1 h after reperfusion, which led to a decline in MIP-2 production and amelioration of functional and structural liver damage with a 7-day survival rate of 80%. Augmented pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses by Kupffer cells were associated with endotoxin-enhanced reperfusion injury after hepatic ischemia. Kupffer cell blockade has a potential to attenuate the insult via modulation of cytokine responses.     

高原失血性休克大鼠相关急性肺损伤病变及发病机制

目的探讨高原失血性休克相关急性肺损伤(acute lung injury,ALI)病变及发病机制。方法雄性Wistar大鼠72只,体重280~320g,随机分为六组:假手术组(Sham组)、休克15min组(HS15组)、休克30min组(HS30组)、休克45min组(HS45组)、休克60min组(HS60组)和休克90min组(HS90组),每组12只。建立高原大鼠失血性休克模型后,Sham组麻醉置管后不予失血,仅观察90min即刻处死,其余五组分别按照15、30、45、60和90min观察终止时间窗维持于休克状态。光镜下观察肺组织病理变化,测定肺湿/干重比(W/D)、计算肺通透指数,同时测定肺组织髓过氧化物酶(MPO)、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)的活性和丙二醛(MDA)的浓度,采用ELISA法检测肺组织中TNF-α和IL-10的浓度。采用免疫组化法检测肺组织中claudin-3和claudin-4的表达和分布。结果与Sham组比较,休克造成不同程度的肺损伤,且与休克维持时间成正比。在休克15~30min,大鼠肺组织W/D、肺通透指数、MPO、MDA、TNF-α、T-SOD和IL-10的变化甚微,在此之后,随着时间的延长,肺W/D、肺通透指数、MPO活性、MDA浓度和TNF-α浓度明显升高,同时伴随SOD活性和IL-10浓度的明显下降(P0.05)。claudin-3和claudin-4在肺上皮细胞和内皮细胞处的表达明显错位并减少(P0.05)。结论高原环境下,遭受失血性休克的大鼠血流动力学在短时间代偿后,病变呈现螺旋式恶化。且随着休克的延续,大鼠体内炎性/抗炎、氧化/抗氧化稳态失衡,导致肺上皮细胞内claudin-3和claudin-4流失,呈现出急性肺损伤的表现。     

去铁胺对自体肝移植大鼠肝脏缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用

目的 探讨去铁胺预处理对大鼠自体肝移植缺血再灌注损伤的保护作用及其可能机制.方法 建立大鼠自体肝移植模型,将96只健康雄性SD大鼠随机分为去铁胺预处理(deferoxamine,D组),注射用水对照组(control group,C组)和假手术模型(shsm operation,S组)各32只.分别于术后0.5 h、2 h、6 h、24 h各时间点处死大鼠,检测血清ALT和AST水平和肝组织SOD活性与MDA含量;做病理组织学检查,免疫组化检测HIF-1α、TNF-α及IL-1蛋白的表达.结果 在30 min、2 h、6 h及24 h各个时间点,D组大鼠血清ALT及AST水平、肝组织MDA含量及IL-1、TNF-α蛋白表达量明显低于C组,再灌注后2 h、6 h、24 h,D组大鼠肝组织SOD含量(411±70;384±53;379±46)和各时间点HIF-1α蛋白表达量(0.0413±0.0040;0.0684±0.0032;0.0583±0.0032;0.0491±0.0026)明显高于C组[SOD(341±21;323±25;303±25)和HIF-1α(0.0254±0.0024;0.0312±0.0022;0.0381±0.0022;0.0257±0.0015)](F>59.881;P<0.01).结论 去铁胺预处理对大鼠自体肝移植缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用,可能与促进HIF-1α表达上调,减轻氧化损伤和降低炎性因子水平有关.     

西沙必利对大鼠出血性休克复苏后胃损害的作用

目的：观察西沙必利对大鼠出血性休克复苏后胃损害的作用。方法：108只Wistar大鼠随机分为假休克(SS)组、出血性休克复苏(HS)组和出血性休克复法律后西少必利治疗（HSC）组，同位素标记生物微球法测量胃血流量，同时测定胃黏膜内pH（pHi）、胃排空、胃黏膜丙二醛（MDA）含量和Na^ -K^ -三磷酸腺苷酶（ATPase）活性，以及门静脉血乳酸水平。结果：HSC组与HS组相比，大鼠胃内色素相对残留率显降低，胃血流量下降幅度减少，2h胃pHi有显回升，4h胃黏膜MDA含量降低、Na^ -K^ -ATPase活性增加，门静脉血乳酸水平显下降。结论：出血性休克复苏后应用西沙必利有改善复苏后持续存在的胃缺血缺氧状态。     

Deleterious effects of aggressive rapid crystalloid resuscitation on treatment of hyperinflammatory response and lung injury induced by hemorrhage in aging rats

Background

Large-volume, rapid crystalloid infusion may increase endothelial cell damage and induce shear stress, potentially leading to multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome. Limited guideline data for fluid administration are currently available, especially for the aging population. The aim of the present study was to compare the degree of organ damage in conscious aging rats when different resuscitation speeds were used during the treatment of hemorrhagic shock (HS).

Methods

Eighteen aging male Wistar-Kyoto rats were randomly divided into the following three groups: the control group, 30-min rapid resuscitation group, and 12-h slow resuscitation group. To mimic HS, 40% of the total blood volume was withdrawn. Fluid resuscitation (1:3) was given at 30 min after the blood withdrawal. Blood biochemical parameters including glucose, lactic acid, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured along with the levels of serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin 10 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lungs were examined for pathologic changes, and the injury score at 24 h after HS was calculated.

Results

Compared with slow-rate resuscitation, initially rapid and immediate resuscitation significantly increased the serum levels of glucose, LDH, and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and interleukin 10), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of white blood cells, TNF-α, and LDH as well as produced pathologic changes in the organ. The lung injury scores were higher after induced HS in aging rats.

Conclusions

The slow and continuous (12 h) fluid resuscitation rate ameliorated HS-induced organ damage in conscious aging rats.     

转录因子Egr-1在失血性休克复苏后肝脏损伤中的作用

目的研究转录因子Egr-1在失血性休克复苏（HS/R）后肝脏损伤中的作用.方法利用Egr-1野生型（WT）和基因封闭型（KO）小鼠复制失血性休克复苏模型.取肝组织,RT-PCR法测定肝组织中TNF-α、IL-6、G-CSF、ICAM-1 mRNA的表达变化.通过检测肝组织中MPO的含量、血清ALT水平和组织学检查,评估肝脏炎症细胞浸润和损伤程度.结果失血性休克2.5 h＋复苏4 h后,Egr-1 KO小鼠肝组织中TNF-α、IL-6、G-CSF、ICAM-1 mRNA的表达水平明显低于Egr-1WT组;Egr-1 KO组失血性休克复苏后肝组织炎性浸润和损伤程度减轻,表现为血清ALT水平低,肝组织中MPO含量低,病理损伤轻.结论本实验结果表明转录因子Egr-1参与了失血性休克复苏后肝脏炎症反应基因表达的调节,在失血性休克复苏后的肝脏损伤中起一定的作用.     

Pentoxifylline reduces acute lung injury in chronic endotoxemia

BACKGROUND: Pentoxifylline (PTX) attenuates end-organ injury in models of sepsis and hemorrhage. PTX is thought to act by inhibiting phosphodiesterase, thus increasing cAMP and decreasing tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) synthesis. The effects of PTX on neutrophil and endothelial cell adhesion molecules and, ultimately, organ injury in a chronic endotoxemia model have not been studied. We hypothesized that continuous infusion of PTX reduces acute lung injury (ALI) caused by chronic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given continuous infusion of LPS, PTX + LPS combined, or saline (sham) by implantable pumps. Neutrophil CD11b expression, lung histopathology, lung intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression assessed by immune staining, serum TNF-alpha, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) IL-8 were evaluated at different time points. Lung injury was graded in a blinded fashion from 0 (normal) to 4 (severe) for interstitial inflammation, neutrophil infiltration, congestion, and edema. Total lung injury score (TLIS) was calculated by adding listed categories. White cell count in the peripheral blood and in the BAL was also performed. RESULTS: Animals treated with PTX + LPS showed a significant reduction in lung injury score, a marked decrease in ICAM-1 expression, and a significant decrease in IL-8 levels in the BAL and serum IL-6 levels when compared with LPS-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous infusion of PTX reduces ALI caused by chronic endotoxemia. The effect seems to be a result of decreased expression of endothelial and epithelial ICAM-1 and modulation of proinflammatory cytokine synthesis.     

Role of adenosine A2A receptor in organ-specific vascular reactivity following hemorrhagic shock in rats

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated differences among organs in terms of shock-induced vascular reactivity and a role for adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) in protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. However, the contributions of A2ARs to organ-specific vascular reactivity and the protection of vascular responsiveness following shock are currently unknown.

Methods

We investigated the role of A2ARs in different arteries, including the left femoral artery (LFA), thoracic aorta (TA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), right renal artery (RRA), pulmonary artery (PA), and middle cerebral artery (MCA), in hemorrhagic-shock rats.

Results

The vascular reactivities of the LFA, SMA, RRA, and MCA increased slightly during early shock and then gradually decreased, whereas those of the PA and TA decreased from the start of shock. Different blood vessels lost vascular reactivity at different rates compared with controls; the LFA had the highest rate of loss (64.51%), followed by the SMA (44.69%), TA (36.06%), PA (37.83%), and RRA (32.33%), whereas the MCA had the lowest rate (18.45%). The rate of loss of vascular reactivity in the different vessels was negatively correlated with A2AR expression levels in normal and shock conditions. The highly selective A2AR agonist CGS 21680 significantly improved vascular reactivity, hemodynamic parameters, and animal survival, whereas the specific antagonist SCH58261 further decreased the shock-induced reduction in vascular reactivity and hemodynamic parameters.

Conclusions

A2ARs are involved in the regulation and protection of vascular reactivity following shock. A2AR activation may have a beneficial effect on hemorrhagic shock by improving vascular reactivity and hemodynamic parameters.     

Erythropoietin attenuates experimental haemorrhagic shock-induced renal damage through an iNOS- dependent mechanism in male Wistar rats

AimErythropoietin (EPO) is shown to exert protective effects on different tissues in haemorrhagic shock (HS) states. Nitric oxide (NO), as a multifunctional signaling molecule, is implicated in diverse physiologic and pathologic processes. In order to understand the exact mechanism of EPO protection, in this study we evaluated the role of different NOS enzymes in the EPO signaling pathway in male rats.MethodsRats were randomized to five groups: 1) Sham, 2) HS 3) EPO 4) L-NAME, a non-specific NOS inhibitor 5) 1400 W, a specific iNOS inhibitor. HS was induced by withdrawal of 50% of total blood volume. After 2 h, resuscitation was performed with the shed blood and Ringer’s lactate. In group 3, rats were treated with EPO (300 IU/kg, i.v.) over 10 min before HS induction. In the L-NAME and 1400 W groups, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and 1400 W (2 mg/kg, i.p.) were administered 30 min before EPO injection. Blood and kidney tissue samples were obtained 3 h after resuscitation.ResultsEPO increased the survival rate and significantly improved kidney function and histology compared to the HS group. There were less renal oxidative stress, apoptosis and systemic inflammatory responses in the EPO group. EPO increased eNOS and more abundantly iNOS mRNA expressions. L-NAME and 1400 W significantly abolished all beneficial effects of EPO.ConclusionIn this in vivo animal model, we showed that EPO administration prior to HS attenuates renal injury and dysfunction in rats. The protective effects of EPO may be mediated by nitric oxide and the expression of different NOS enzymes, especially iNOS isoform.     

Alterations of acute phase reaction and cytokine production in patients following severe burn injury

To determine the acute immunologic reaction, mediated by cytokines, interleukines (ILs) and growth factors and the susceptibility to infections and sepsis after severe burn injury a prospective, single unit, longitudinal study of acute phase reactants and mediators who performed. After approval by the ethics committee of our hospital, we investigated the plasma concentrations of IL-2, -6, -8, -10, and -13, the soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and the acute phase proteins procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at admission and every 3 days in 24 patients over a time course of 28 days after thermal injury and categorized by percent burn: < or =30% (group 1; n=12) and >30% (group 2; n=12). Shortly after burn injury we found higher concentrations of IL-2, -6, -10 and PCT in those patients >30% TBSA. During the study period, we found significant higher levels of acute phase proteins, IL-6 and -8 in patients >30% TBSA. The incidence of SIRS and MODS was three times increased in patients >30% TBSA. Our results show different patterns of cytokines and acute phase proteins in patients with different burned surface areas over a long time and continuous monitoring of a more distinct inflammatory response in these patients.     

Glutamine does not protect against hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The administration of glutamine before experimental ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) has been shown to protect intestinal, pulmonary, and myocardial tissue by inducing heat shock proteins (HSP). However, it is not known whether glutamine is protective for all organs. We therefore tested whether pretreatment with glutamine reduces injury following hepatic I/R in rats. Male lean Zucker rats were pretreated with either glutamine (0.75 g/kg intraperitoneally, n=6) or saline (n=6), 24 and 6 hours before ischemia. Seventy percent of the liver was exposed to 75 minutes of warm ischemia followed by 24 hours reperfusion. Liver enzymes, histology, neutrophil accumulation, survival, and heat shock protein (HSP) 70 induction were examined. Glutamine administration did not reduce liver injury. In both groups, 5 of 6 animals survived 24 hours of reperfusion. There was no difference in serum transaminase levels with AST 15113 ± 4336 U/L (glutamine) vs. 17695 ± 8531 U/L (control, P>0.05), and ALT 7763 6 2524 (glutamine) U/L vs. 5884 ± 2063 U/L (control, P>0.05). The degree of neutrophil accumulation and necrosis was not different between groups at 24 hours of reperfusion. Pretreatment did not result in HSP70 upregulation in any of the groups. Pretreatment with glutamine did not reduce hepatic ischemia/ reperfusion injury. The lack of protection was associated with an absence of HSP70 upregulation prior to ischemia. Presented at the 2005 American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Congress, Hollywood, Florida, April 14–17, 2005.