Bcl-2 inhibits gut epithelial apoptosis induced by acute lung injury in mice but has no effect on survival

Gut epithelial apoptosis is increased in human studies and animal models of noninfectious inflammation and sepsis. Elevated intestinal cell death appears to be physiologically significant in sepsis. Previous studies demonstrate that overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 in the gut epithelium of transgenic mice is associated with improved survival from Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia and cecal ligation and puncture. The functional significance of elevated gut apoptosis in noninfectious inflammation has not been examined. We hypothesized that intestinal apoptosis would be detrimental to survival in noninfectious critical illness. To address this issue, acute lung injury (ALI) was induced with intratracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 800 microg) in wild-type (WT) FVB/N mice and transgenic mice that overexpress Bcl-2 in their intestinal epithelium. Guts were harvested at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and assessed for apoptosis by both hematoxylin and eosin and active caspase-3 staining in 100 contiguous crypts. ALI increased gut epithelial apoptosis 12 h after LPS instillation compared with shams (P < 0.01), whereas overexpression of Bcl-2 decreased intestinal apoptosis compared with WT animals with ALI when assayed by active caspase-3 (P < 0.05). Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were similar between WT and transgenic animals with ALI, both of which had elevated IL-10 levels at 12 h and elevated IL-6 levels at 24 h compared with sham animals. In a separate experiment, transgenic and WT animals with ALI were followed for mortality to determine whether gut overexpression of Bcl-2 conferred a survival advantage. Survival at 10 days was 73% in WT animals (n = 33) and 65% in Bcl-2 animals (n = 23, P = ns). These results indicate that while gut epithelial apoptosis is elevated in multiple models of critical illness, prevention of intestinal cell death by overexpression of Bcl-2 is associated with a disparate survival effect between sepsis and noninfectious inflammation.     

Sepsis from Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia decreases intestinal proliferation and induces gut epithelial cell cycle arrest

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether the up-regulation in sepsis-induced gut epithelial apoptosis is balanced by an increase in intestinal proliferation and to assess mechanisms affecting the gut's regenerative response to overwhelming infection. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Animal laboratory in a university medical center. INTERVENTIONS: Mice were subjected to intratracheal injection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and killed between 1.5 and 24 hrs after induction of pneumonia-induced sepsis to assess for gut epithelial proliferation and cell division and for apoptosis. Animals were compared with sham-operation controls, septic transgenic mice that overexpress Bcl-2 throughout their small intestinal epithelium, and septic p53-/- mice. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Proliferation and cell division were assessed by measuring S-phase and M-phase cells in intestinal crypts. The number of S-phase cells showed a progressive decline at all time points measured, with a 5-fold decrease in proliferation between control animals and septic mice 24 hrs after intratracheal injection of pathogenic bacteria (p <.0001). In contrast, cells in M-phase remained constant for the first 12 hrs after the onset of sepsis, but increased nearly 50% at 24 hrs after instillation of P. aeruginosa (p <.005). Both the decrease in S-phase cells and the increase in M-phase cells were partially suppressible in Bcl-2 overexpressors, but cellular proliferation and division were similar between septic p53-/- and p53+/+ mice. Crypt apoptosis was increased at all time points, with maximal death occurring between 12 and 24 hrs. CONCLUSIONS: Sepsis from P. aeruginosa pneumonia induces a p53-independent decrease in gut epithelial proliferation. Despite an increase in sepsis-induced intestinal apoptosis, there is no compensatory increase in intestinal epithelial proliferation, and there is evidence of a cell cycle block with an accumulation of cells in M-phase. Decreasing gut apoptosis by overexpression of Bcl-2 is associated with a partial reversal of the effect of sepsis on the cell cycle.     

Mechanisms of decreased intestinal epithelial proliferation and increased apoptosis in murine acute lung injury

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of acute lung injury on the gut epithelium and examine mechanisms underlying changes in crypt proliferation and apoptosis. The relationship between severity and timing of lung injury to intestinal pathology was also examined. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: Genetically inbred mice. INTERVENTIONS: Following induction of acute lung injury, gut epithelial proliferation and apoptosis were assessed in a) C3H/HeN wild-type and C3H/HeJ mice, which lack functional Toll-like receptor 4 (n = 17); b) C57Bl/6 mice that received monoclonal anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha or control antibody (n = 22); and c) C57Bl/6 wild-type and transgenic mice that overexpress Bcl-2 in their gut epithelium (n = 21). Intestinal epithelial proliferation and death were also examined in animals with differing degrees of lung inflammation (n = 24) as well as in a time course analysis following a fixed injury (n = 18). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Acute lung injury caused decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in crypt epithelial cells in all animals studied. C3H/HeJ mice had higher levels of proliferation than C3H/HeN animals without additional changes in apoptosis. Anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody had no effect on gut epithelial proliferation or death. Overexpression of Bcl-2 did not change proliferation despite decreasing gut apoptosis. Proliferation and apoptosis were not correlated to severity of lung injury, as gut alterations were lost in mice with more severe acute lung injury. Changes in both gut epithelial proliferation and death were apparent within 12 hrs, but proliferation was decreased 36 hrs following acute lung injury while apoptosis returned to normal. CONCLUSIONS: Acute lung injury causes disparate effects on crypt proliferation and apoptosis, which occur, at least in part, through differing mechanisms involving Toll-like receptor 4 and Bcl-2. Severity of lung injury does not correlate with perturbations in proliferation or death in the gut epithelium, and acute lung injury-induced changes in intestinal epithelial proliferation persist longer than those in apoptosis.     

High-dose exogenous iron following cecal ligation and puncture increases mortality rate in mice and is associated with an increase in gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis

OBJECTIVES: Despite having dysregulated iron metabolism, critically ill patients may receive exogenous iron for the treatment of anemia. Iron is associated with increased tissue apoptosis and may facilitate bacterial growth. We hypothesized that exogenous iron administration given after the onset of sepsis would lead to increased mortality rate. To discriminate between elevated cell death and bacterial overgrowth as potential mediators of mortality, we examined gut epithelial and lymphocyte apoptosis and systemic bacterial counts in animals given iron supplementation after the onset of sepsis. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled study. SETTING: Animal laboratory in a university medical center. SUBJECTS: Male C57BL/6 mice, 6-10 wks old. INTERVENTIONS: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a well-accepted model of intra-abdominal sepsis, followed by daily subcutaneous injections of either 1 mL of iron dextran (5 mg/mL) or 0.9% NaCl for a total of five doses. Animals (n = 78) were followed for survival for 8 days. Separate cohorts (n = 76) were killed 24 or 48 hrs after cecal ligation and puncture or sham laparotomy and were assayed for gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis as well as for quantitative blood cultures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Eight-day survival was 7% in animals that received iron and 26% in mice that received 0.9% NaCl (p < .005). Iron supplementation after cecal ligation and puncture increased apoptosis by both active caspase 3 and hematoxylin and eosin staining in both the intestinal epithelium and spleen at 24 hrs (p < .05). Iron supplementation after sham laparotomy did not cause mortality or elevated apoptosis. Quantitative blood cultures revealed no detectable differences between septic animals that received iron and those that received 0.9% NaCl. CONCLUSIONS: High-dose iron supplementation with iron dextran after the onset of sepsis significantly increases mortality rate in this animal model. Iron-induced mortality may be mediated by an increase in gut epithelial and splenic apoptosis, whereas severity of bacteremia does not appear to play a causative role.     

影响脓毒症受损肠黏膜修复的机制

目的 探讨影响脓毒症肠黏膜损害后修复的因素。方法 采用肓肠结扎穿孔(CLP)所致脓毒症模型,分别以CLP后6,24,48 h不同时间段观测肠黏膜损伤程度和修复过程,前者包括形态学观察及细胞凋亡的测定,后者包括肠黏膜修复的杯状细胞变化、黏膜肠三叶因子3(TFF3)、转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)以及TNF-α、IL-1含量。结果 形态学观察显示肠黏膜呈持续损害状态,6h的损害积分明显小于24h,48 h组(P＜0.05),后两组之间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);磷酸化caspase-3蛋白在3组均高于sham组4倍以上;黏膜IL-1,TNF-α含量明显高于sham组3～4倍,其中24h及48 h组明显高于6h组。肠黏膜的修复过程不明显,损伤黏膜未见到明显的杯状细胞积聚;TFF3在6h组轻度增高,24h及48 h组表达下降;杯状细胞数量在CLP的3个组明显减少;TGF-β1在6h组增高,其他两组均接近于sham组。结论 严重脓毒症肠黏膜持续的高炎症状态、杯状细胞功能以及黏膜重建能力下降,影响了受损肠屏障的修复。     

Age disproportionately increases sepsis-induced apoptosis in the spleen and gut epithelium

Both aging and sepsis independently increase splenic and gut epithelial apoptosis. Sepsis-induced apoptosis in either cell type is also associated with increased mortality in young mice. We sought to determine whether age alters sepsis-induced splenic and gut epithelial cell death. Young (2 months) and aged (22 months) male ND4 mice were subjected to either single-puncture cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with a 23-gauge needle or sham laparotomy. Apoptosis was assessed 24 hours later in the spleen and gut epithelium by active caspase 3 and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Aged septic mice had increased splenic apoptosis compared with either young septic animals or aged sham animals (15 vs. 7 vs. 5 apoptotic cells/high-powered field, P < 0.05). Similarly, aged septic animals had an elevation in gut epithelial cell death compared with either young septic or aged sham mice (33 vs. 16 vs. 6 apoptotic cells/100 contiguous crypts, P < 0.05). Elevated intestinal cell death was not associated with changes in either gut proliferation or cell division. To verify that the increase in splenic apoptosis seen in septic aged animals was not strain specific, double-puncture CLP with a 25-gauge needle or sham laparotomy was performed on young (4 months) or aged (24 months) C57BL/6 male mice. Similar to results seen in outbred animals, aged septic animals in this inbred strain had increased splenic apoptosis compared with either young septic animals or aged sham animals (23 vs. 7 vs. 4 apoptotic cells/ high powered field, P < 0.05). These results indicate that although infection and aging each independently cause an increase in splenic and gut epithelial apoptosis, their combination leads to a disproportionate increase in cell death in these rapidly dividing cell populations,and potentially plays a role in the marked increase in mortality seen with aging in sepsis.     

肠缺血/再灌注时卡巴胆碱对肠上皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的研究肠缺血/再灌注(I/R)时卡巴胆碱对肠上皮细胞凋亡的影响及可能机制。方法雄性Wistar大鼠,戊巴比妥钠腹腔麻醉,结扎肠管造成长约8cm肠袋,采用夹闭肠系膜上动脉(SMA)阻断血流45min后恢复血流的方法,制备肠I/R损伤模型。将动物按随机数字表法分为假手术组(n=40)、I/R模型组(n=40)和卡巴胆碱组(n=40)。卡巴胆碱组在阻断血流的同时向肠袋内注射卡巴胆碱(0.1mg/kg),I/R模型组给予等量生理盐水。分别在再灌注0、30、60、120和240min时,采用病理学方法按Chiu's评分观察肠上皮细胞损伤;原位末端缺刻标记法(TUNEL)检测肠上皮细胞凋亡指数的变化;免疫组化法检测肠上皮细胞凋亡相关半胱氨酸天冬氨酸特异性蛋白酶(caspase-3)和Bcl-2蛋白表达的变化。结果与I/R模型组比较,卡巴胆碱组肠上皮细胞病理学变化较轻,凋亡指数明显降低,caspase-3阳性肠上皮细胞数明显减少,而Bcl-2阳性肠上皮细胞数明显增加(P均<0.01)。结论卡巴胆碱能抑制I/R时肠上皮细胞caspase-3表达,增加Bcl-2表达,减少肠上皮细胞的凋亡。     

Repair of damaged intestinal mucosa in a mouse model of sepsis

BACKGROUND:

The intestine is not only the main target attacked by sepsis but also the vital organ which mediated sepsis. The recovery of the damaged intestinal barrier structure and function is related to the occurrence and outcome of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). How to protect and reduce the damage of the intestinal mucosa and how to promote the reconstruction of the intestinal mucosa have been the important topics in sepsis for many years. This study aimed to investigate the influential factors of intestinal mucosal reconstruction after intestinal epithelial injury in vivo in a mouse model of sepsis.

METHODS:

Mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) for induction of sepsis to assess intestinal mucosal damage, epithelial cell apoptosis, and transformed number of goblet cells, and to detect the concentration of TNF-α, IL-1 and TGF-β1 and TFF3 (trefoil factor 3) expression in the small intestinal mucosa. All above were performed by HE staining, western blot, ELISA and immunohistochemistry respectively. The experimental animals were divided into a sepsis group and a sham-operation group. The animals with sepsis were separately killed at 6 (7 animals), 24 (7 animals) and 48 hours (7 animals) after CLP.

RESULTS:

Injured intestinal mucosa was observed in the 3 groups under a light microscope, in which damage scores in the 24-hour and 48-hour groups were higher than in the 6-hour group and no difference was found between the two groups. Moreover, less of goblet cells or other epithelial cells adjacent to the injured surface migrated into the wound to cover the denuded area. The number of goblet cells was substantially decreased in the three CLP groups compared with the sham-operation group. Protein levels of IL-1 and TNF-α were significantly increased by 3–4 fold at all time points when compared with the sham-operation group, and cleaved caspase-3 by 4 fold. Although TFF3 expression was modestly increased for 6 hours after the onset of CLP, it appeared to decline at 24 hours and 48 hours as shown by Western blot. A similar tendency was observed upon TGF-β1, i.e. the protein level was not elevated at 24 hours and 48 hours, but increased modestly at 6 hours.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sepsis from CLP shows less restitution on the surface of injured intestinal mucosa. There is evidence that both constant inflammatory reaction and epithelial cell apoptosis may affect mucosal reestablishment of the intestine at the onset of sepsis. Mucosa after severe sepsis showed the state of high inflammation, and declined goblet cell function and mucosal reconstruction, which affected the repair of damaged intestinal barrier. Constant inflammatory reaction, and declined goblet cell function and mucosal reconstruction ability may affect the reestablishment of intestinal mucosa at the onset of sepsis.KEY WORDS: Sepsis, Cecal ligation and puncture, Intestinal mucosa, Restitution, Goblet cells, Intestinal trefoil factor 3, Transforming growth factor β1, Cysteine-containing aspartate-specific proteases     

脓毒症大鼠肠黏膜免疫屏障功能的变化

目的 研究脓毒症对大鼠肠黏膜免疫屏障功能的影响.方法 60只SD大鼠随机(随机数字法)分为对照组(n=15)和脓毒症组(n=45),采用盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)建立脓毒症模型.模型建立后3 h、6 h和12 h留取回肠黏膜和全血标本.分别进行肠黏膜形态学观察、肠防御素5(RD-5)及肠三叶因子3(TFF_3)Mrna表达水平检测、肠黏膜淋巴细胞凋亡分析,以及外周血中肠源性细菌DNA定性检测.结果 CLP所致脓毒症导致大鼠回肠黏膜明显损害,主要表现为上皮脱落、固有层分离、毛细血管出血和溃疡形成;脓毒症组模型建立后3 h即出现RD-5和TFF_3 Mrna表达显著性减少(与正常组比较,P<0.05),且6 h和12 h组进行下降(与3 h组比较,P<0.05),肠黏膜淋巴细胞凋亡数亦显著增加(P<0.05);同时,脓毒症组全血肠源性细菌DNA扩增全部阳性.结论 脓毒症时大鼠肠黏膜免疫屏障功能显著减退,且随脓毒症的发展而进行性恶化.     

Epidermal growth factor treatment decreases mortality and is associated with improved gut integrity in sepsis

ABSTRACT: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is a cytoprotective peptide that has healing effects on the intestinal mucosa. We sought to determine whether systemic administration of EGF after the onset of sepsis improved intestinal integrity and decreased mortality. FVB/N mice were subjected to either sham laparotomy or 2 x 23 cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Septic mice were further randomized to receive injection of either 150 microg kg(-1) d(-1) (i.p.) EGF or 0.9% saline (i.p.). Circulating EGF levels were decreased after CLP compared with sham animals but were unaffected by giving exogenous EGF treatment. In contrast, intestinal EGF levels increased after CLP and were further augmented by exogenous EGF treatment. Intestinal EGF receptor was increased after CLP, whether assayed by immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, or Western blot, and exogenous EGF treatment decreased intestinal EGF receptor. Villus length decreased 2-fold between sham and septic animals, and EGF treatment resulted in near total restitution of villus length. Sepsis decreased intestinal proliferation and increased intestinal apoptosis. This was accompanied by increased expression of the proapoptotic proteins Bid and Fas-associated death domain, as well as the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 cip1/waf Epidermal growth factor treatment after the onset of sepsis restored both proliferation and apoptosis to levels seen in sham animals and normalized expression of Bid, Fas-associated death domain, and p21 cip1/waf . To determine whether improvements in gut homeostasis were associated with a decrease in sepsis-induced mortality, septic mice with or without EGF treatment after CLP were followed 7 days for survival. Mortality decreased from 60% to 30% in mice treated with EGF after the onset of sepsis (P < 0.05). Thus, EGF may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of sepsis in part due to its ability to protect intestinal integrity.     

Time-dependent mitochondrial-mediated programmed neuronal cell death prolongs survival in sepsis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether apoptosis is a possible mechanism of brain dysfunction occurring in septic syndrome. DESIGN: Experimental prospective study. SETTING: Laboratory of Surgical Research at the University of Athens. SUBJECTS: Male pathogen-free Wistar rats. INTERVENTIONS: Rats (n = 112) were subjected to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture. Sham-operated animals (n = 40) underwent the same procedure but without ligation or puncture. Septic animals were either randomly divided (n = 62) in six groups and studied at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hrs after the operation or monitored (n = 50) for 48 hrs as a survival study group. Sham-operated animals were killed at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 hrs after the procedure. Brain and cecum were then removed and postfixed in paraffin sections. Apoptosis was evaluated by light microscopy in hematoxylin and eosin-stained specimens and by transmission electron microscopy. In paraffin-embedded sections, immunostaining for bax, bcl-2, cytochrome c, and caspase-8 was done. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In septic rats, increased apoptosis was detected in neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus, in choroid plexus, and in Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. Bax immunopositivity was found decreased after the septic insult (p =.03). Bax immunoreactivity was altered as the septic syndrome evolved; it was up-regulated in the early stages (6-12 hrs) and progressively decreased in the late phases (p =.001). Cytochrome c presented a similar regional pattern of expression and was found to be the sole gene marker carrying an independent prognostic role (p =.03). Both bcl-2 and caspase-8 expression remained at constant levels at all times evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that more neurons undergo apoptosis during sepsis than in normal brain tissue in certain sites where the blood-brain barrier is compromised. In this phenomenon, mitochondrial gene regulators such as bax and products such as cytochrome c seem to play important regulating and prognostic roles, respectively.     

Mechanisms of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia-induced intestinal epithelial apoptosis

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia-induced sepsis is a common cause of morbidity in the intensive care unit. Although pneumonia is initiated in the lungs, extrapulmonary manifestations occur commonly. In light of the key role the intestine plays in the pathophysiology of sepsis, we sought to determine whether MRSA pneumonia induces intestinal injury. FVB/N mice were subjected to MRSA or sham pneumonia and killed 24 h later. Septic animals had a marked increase in intestinal epithelial apoptosis by both hematoxylin-eosin and active caspase 3 staining. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus-induced intestinal apoptosis was associated with an increase in the expression of the proapoptotic proteins Bid and Bax and the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL in the mitochondrial pathway. In the receptor-mediated pathway, MRSA pneumonia induced an increase in Fas ligand but decreased protein levels of Fas, FADD, pFADD, TNF-R1, and TRADD. To assess the functional significance of these changes, MRSA pneumonia was induced in mice with genetic manipulations in proteins in either the mitochondrial or receptor-mediated pathways. Both Bid-/- mice and animals with intestine-specific overexpression of Bcl-2 had decreased intestinal apoptosis compared with wild-type animals. In contrast, Fas ligand-/- mice had no alterations in apoptosis. To determine if these findings were organism-specific, similar experiments were performed in mice subjected to Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia. Pseudomonas aeruginosa induced gut apoptosis, but unlike MRSA, this was associated with increased Bcl-2 and TNF-R1 and decreased Fas. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus pneumonia thus induces organism-specific changes in intestinal apoptosis via changes in both the mitochondrial and receptor-mediated pathways, although the former may be more functionally significant.     

Protective effects of anti-C5a in sepsis-induced thymocyte apoptosis

Multiorgan apoptosis occurs during sepsis. Following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats, thymocytes underwent apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. C5a blockade dramatically reduced thymocyte apoptosis as measured by thymic weight, binding of annexin V to thymocytes, and laddering of thymocyte DNA. When C5a was generated in vivo by infusion of purified cobra venom factor (CVF), thymocyte apoptosis was significantly increased. Similar results were found when CVF was injected in vivo during the early stages of CLP. In animals 12 hours after induction of CLP, there was an increase in the activities of caspase-3, -6, and -9, but not caspase-1 and -8. Cytosolic cytochrome c levels increased by twofold, whereas mitochondrial levels showed a 50% decrease. Western blot analysis revealed that the content of Bcl-X(L) (but not of Bcl-2, BAX, Bad, and Bim) significantly decreased in thymocytes after CLP. C5a blockade in the sepsis model almost completely inhibited caspase-3, -6, and -9 activation, significantly preserved cytochrome c in the mitochondrial fraction, and restored Bcl-X(L) expression. These data suggest that systemic activation of complement induces C5a-dependent apoptosis of thymocytes and that the blockade of C5a during sepsis rescues thymocytes from apoptosis.     

Intestine-specific overexpression of IL-10 improves survival in polymicrobial sepsis

Targeted IL-10 therapy improves survival in preclinical models of critical illness, and intestine-specific IL-10 decreases inflammation in models of chronic Inflammatory disease. We therefore sought to determine whether intestine-specific overexpression of IL-10 would improve survival in sepsis. Transgenic mice that overexpress IL-10 in their gut epithelium (Fabpi-IL-10 mice) and wild-type (WT) littermates (n = 127) were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture with a 27-gauge needle. The 7-day survival rate was 45% in transgenic animals and 30% in WT animals (P < or = 0.05). Systemic levels of IL-10 were undetectable in both groups of animals under basal conditions and were elevated to a similar degree in septic animals regardless of whether they expressed the transgene. Local parameter of injury, including gut epithelial apoptosis, intestinal permeability, peritoneal lavage cytokines, and stimulated cytokines from intraepithelial lymphocytes, were similar between transgenic and WT mice. However, in stimulated splenocytes, proinflammatory cytokines monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (189 +/- 43 vs. 40 +/- 8 pg/mL) and IL-6 (116 +/- 28 vs. 34 +/- 9 pg/mL) were lower in Fabpi-IL-10 mice than WT littermates despite the intestine-specific nature of the transgene (P < 0.05). Cytokine levels were similar in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between the 2 groups, as were circulating LPS levels. Transgenic mice also had lower white blood cell counts associated with lower absolute neutrophil counts (0.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.2 10(3)/mm3; P < 0.05). These results indicate that gut-specific overexpression of IL-10 improves survival in a murine model of sepsis, and interactions between the intestinal epithelium and the systemic immune system may play a role in conferring this survival advantage.     

脓毒症对大鼠海马区caspase-3表达的影响

目的 探讨脓毒症对大鼠海马区神经元的凋亡蛋白酶caspase-3表达的影响。 方法 80只30日龄健康雄性Wistar大鼠,随机分为盲肠结扎穿孔术（CLP） 组（n=50）和对照组（n=30）。CLP组采用CLP建立脓毒症模型,对照组行假手术不造成脓毒症模型。于手术后6、12、24 h,CLP组和对照组分别取10只大鼠,5只做神经行为学评分,另外5只处死取脑,采用蛋白免疫印迹法观察caspase-3的表达,术后24 h,两组各取3只大鼠,采用免疫荧光检测caspase-3的表达。 结果 对照组大鼠大脑海马区仅微量表达caspase-3,神经行为学评分较高。CLP组大鼠caspase-3的表达量于CLP后6 h就开始升高,24 h达高峰,均明显高于对照组（P＜0.05）,大鼠的神经行为学评分在CLP后6 h开始降低,并随着时间逐渐下降,均明显低于对照组（P＜0.05）。 结论 脓毒症脑损伤时大鼠的神经行为学评分降低,海马区神经元caspase-3表达上调,并随时间变化而波动。     

The effect of Ulinastatin on myocardial cell apoptosis and Caspase-3 channel北大核心CSCD

Objective To investigate the effect of ulinastatin on myocardial injury in rats with sepsis. Methods Thirty male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into 3 groups: sham operation group (Sham group, n=\0), sepsis group (sepsis group, n=10) and ulinastatin group (UTI group, n=10). The sepsis model of the rats was subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats of UTI group were given 200 000 U/kg ulinastatin at 6 hour after modeling, and dosing was repeated every 12 h. Blood samples were collected from inferior vena cava at 6, 12, 24, 36 h after modeling for determination of cardiac troponin-I (cTnl) and the inflammatory factor by ELISA, then the rats were sacrificed and hearts were removed for myocardial tissue stained with hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining, the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 protein level and myocardial cell apoptosis were detected by TUNEL. The level of caspase-3 protein in myocardial tissue was detected by Western-blot. Results The level of cTnl (ng/mL ) in serum in UTI group at 6, 12, 24 and 36 h after modeling were significantly lower compared with sepsis group(P<0.05). The protein expression levels of TNF-a and IL-6 (ng/mL) in group UTI were higher than those in Sham group, but was significantly lower than those in Sepsis group (PO.05). HE staining showed that inflammatory cell infiltration present in myocardial cells, edema and vacuole formation were observed in sepsis group, while those were significantly attenuated in UTI group compared with sepsis group. UTI increased the level of myocardial Bcl-2 protein in the rats (P<0.05), and reduced the level of myocardial Bax protein (P<0.05). TUNEL and HE staining showed apoptosis cells in UTI group was significantly reduced compared with sepsis group [(32.24.8)% vs. (58.45.6)%, P<0.05]; Western-blot method showed the level of Caspase-3 protein in UTI group was higher than that in group sham (0.320.048) vs. (0.12.03), P<0.05], but significantly lower than that of Sepsis group [(0.320.048) vs. (0.550.052), PO.05]. Conclusions Ulinastatin can reduce proinflammatory mediators release in the blood of sepsis rats, and inhibit the apoptosis of myocardial cells protecting myocardial cells through the regulation of the Caspase-3 pathway during sepsis. © 2018 Chinese Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.     

脓毒症大鼠脾脏淋巴细胞凋亡的实验研究

目的 观察脓毒症大鼠脾脏T、B淋巴细胞的数量变化及细胞凋亡情况,探讨脓毒症时免疫失衡的机制.方法 健康雄性Wistar大鼠80只,按随机数字表法分为假手术组(30只)、模型组(50只).采用盲肠结扎穿孔术(CLP)制备脓毒症大鼠模型,于制模后6、12、24、48、96 h活杀动物取脾脏,行苏木素-伊红(HE)染色,光镜下观察脾脏组织病理变化;采用免疫组化法检测脾脏CD4~+、CD8~+T淋巴细胞和B淋巴细胞以及Bax、Bcl-2蛋白表达;采用原位末端缺刻标记法(TUNEL)检测脾脏细胞凋亡指数.结果 光镜下观察模型大鼠脾脏白髓逐渐萎缩,淋巴小结结构破坏.制模6、12、24、48、96 h,模型组大鼠脾脏CD4~+T淋巴细胞数、B淋巴细胞数、Bcl-2蛋白表达均较假手术组明显降低(P均<0.01),CD8~+T淋巴细胞数与假手术组比较差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05),细胞凋亡指数及Bax蛋白表达均较假手术组显著增加(P均<0.01).相关分析表明:Bcl-2蛋白表达与细胞凋亡指数呈负相关(r=0.659,P<0.01),而Bax蛋白表达与细胞凋亡指数呈正相关(r=0.522,P<0.01).结论 脓毒症早期免疫功能处于紊乱状态,表现为脾脏CD4~+T淋巴细胞数、B淋巴细胞数减少,细胞凋亡显著增加;Bax、Bcl-2在脓毒症脾细胞凋亡中发挥了关键作用.     

Mast cells and resistance to peritoneal sepsis after burn injury

A mouse model of burn injury demonstrates increasing mortality to an infectious challenge in the form of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) reaching a peak at 10 days after injury. Because it is widely believed that peritoneal mast cells play an important role in the defense against peritoneal sepsis, we wished to explore the possibility that peritoneal mast cell dysfunction contributed to increased CLP mortality after burn injury. Kit(W-v) C57BL/6 mice, which were shown to lack peritoneal mast cells by cytospin and flow cytometry, and normal littermate control animals were subjected to 25% burn or sham burn injury and 10 days later underwent CLP. Burn injured Kit(W-v) and normal littermates had a high CLP mortality when compared with sham-injured Kit(W-v) and normal littermates (P < 0.003), but the sham- and burn-injured Kit(W-v) and normal littermate animals did not differ from one another with respect to CLP mortality. This result prompted a comparison of CLP mortality in untreated WBB6F1 Kit(W/W-v) mice, known to be mast cell deficient, and normal littermate controls, as well as untreated C57BL/6 Kit(W-v) and normal littermates. The WBB6F1 Kit(W/W-v) mice showed significantly increased mortality after CLP as compared with the littermate controls (P = 0.03), whereas both C57BL/6 Kit(W-v) and littermate controls had very low mortality after CLP. A study of peritoneal cell populations 24 h after CLP failed to reveal an obvious cause for the difference in CLP survival between the two mast cell-deficient strains. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) measurements in peritoneal fluid showed appreciable amounts of TNF-alpha in the littermate controls of both strains and little in the fluid obtained from the mast cell-deficient animals of both strains. We conclude that peritoneal mast cell dysfunction is unlikely to be a major cause of decreased resistance to peritoneal sepsis in burn-injured animals and that the importance of peritoneal mast cells in combating peritoneal sepsis in the mouse appears to be strain dependent.     

The decrease of PKCalpha is associated with hepatic apoptosis at early and late phases of polymicrobial sepsis

The present study investigates the relationship between the PKC-alpha and hepatic apoptosis during sepsis. Cecal ligation and puncture- (CLP) induced animal model of polymicrobial sepsis was used, with early and late sepsis referring to those animals sacrificed at 9 and 18 h, respectively, after CLP. The expressions of PKCalpha and Bcl-2 family proteins as well as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage were quantified to evaluate the possible factors involved in the hepatic cell death during sepsis. The apoptosis of hepatocytes under septic condition or hepatocytes treated with PKCalpha antisense was evaluated by gel electrophoresis and/or flow cytometry after Annexin-V-Fluos and propidium iodide staining. The results indicated that (1) the protein expression of membrane-associated PKCalpha was decreased at early (P < 0.05) and late (P < 0.01) sepsis; (2) the protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL were decreased, whereas Bax expression was increased at late sepsis; (3) the percentage of PARP cleavage was increased at early (P < 0.05) and late (P < 0.01) sepsis; (4) severe DNA fragmentation was observed at late sepsis; (5) the apoptotic cell population was increased at early and late sepsis; and (6) the percentage of apoptotic cell population in PKCalpha antisense-treated cells was significantly higher than that in untreated cells. These results suggest that inactivation of PKCalpha may play an important role in modulating hepatic apoptosis during sepsis and the apoptosis is closely associated with the alterations of Bcl-2 family proteins.     

Treatment with N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine protects rats against oxidative stress and improves survival in sepsis

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of multiple organ failure and septic shock. Here we have evaluated the effects of a combination of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine) in a murine model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled experiment. SETTING: Animal basic science laboratory. SUBJECTS: Male Wistar rats, weighing 300-350 g. INTERVENTIONS: Rats subjected to CLP were treated with either N-acetylcysteine (20 mg/kg, 3 hrs, 6 hrs, 12 hrs, 18 hrs, and 24 hrs after CLP, subcutaneously) plus deferoxamine (20 mg/kg, 3 hrs and 24 hrs after CLP, subcutaneously) or vehicle with or without "basic support" (saline at 50 mL/kg immediately and 12 hrs after CLP plus ceftriaxone at 30 mg/kg and clindamycin 25 mg/kg every 6 hrs). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: After 12 hrs, tissue myeloperoxidase (indicator of neutrophil infiltration), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (as a marker of oxidative stress), catalase and superoxide dismutase activities (antioxidant enzymes), and mitochondrial superoxide production (index of uncoupling of electron transfer chain) were measured in major organs involved in septic response. Rats treated with antioxidants had significantly lower myeloperoxidase activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive species formation in all organs studied. Mitochondrial superoxide production was significantly reduced by antioxidant treatment. Furthermore, antioxidants significantly improved the balance between catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Survival in untreated septic rats was 10%. Survival increased to 40% with fluids and antibiotics. In rats treated only with N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine, survival was also significantly improved (47%) in a manner similar to basic support. Survival increased to 66% with basic support with N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide the first experimental demonstration that N-acetylcysteine plus deferoxamine reduces the consequences of septic shock induced by CLP in the rat, by decreasing oxidative stress and limiting neutrophil infiltration and mitochondrial dysfunction, thereby improving survival.