Effects of sesame oil on oxidative stress after the onset of sepsis in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of sesame oil on oxidative stress after the onset of sepsis in rats. Effects of sesame oil on lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, and nitrite after the onset of endotoxin intoxication were determined. To further examine the protective effect of sesame oil on sepsis, a mortality study was also conduced in cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis in rats. Sesame oil was given orally 6 h after endotoxin administration and cecal ligation and puncture, and parameters were then measured in another 6 h. Data demonstrated that a single dose of sesame oil reduced lipid peroxidation 6 h after endotoxin intoxication. Superoxide anion counts were decreased, glutathione levels were increased, and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as nitrite levels, were not altered in lipopolysaccharide plus sesame oil-treated groups compared with lipopolysaccharide-treated groups. Furthermore, sesame oil given 6 h after cecal ligation and puncture significantly increased survival rate. Thus, we suggested that sesame oil could be used as a potent antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress after the onset of sepsis in rats.