Glucoregulatory, hormonal, and metabolic responses to endotoxicosis or cecal ligation and puncture sepsis in the rat: a direct comparison

This study characterized the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of sepsis and the bolus endotoxin model of sepsis in rats with regard to specific hormonal, metabolic, and glucoregulatory changes which occur during the early, compensatory phases of sepsis. Plasma levels of glucose, lactate, insulin, and glucagon were measured during the initial 5 hr of endotoxicosis and CLP sepsis. During this time period, endotoxic and CLP septic rats displayed similar metabolic changes, particularly hyperglycemia, hyperlactacidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperglucagonemia relative to their respective control groups. The metabolic and hormonal similarities observed between these two models of sepsis are consistent with the concept that endotoxin plays a role as a mediator of human and animal sepsis.