Perfusion with lipopolysaccharide negative blood eliminates lipopolysaccharide induced lung injury

We investigated whether perfusion with control blood improves pulmonary functions compromised by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion. This was an animal study in a research laboratory at a university hospital by using Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 19), each weighing 325 to 350 g. All animals were pretreated with a 24 hour infusion of either LPS (5 mg/kg) or vehicle, after which, excised lungs were reperfused for 2 hours with either LPS+ or control blood. Three groups were studied: (1) group S (n = 6); LPS pretreated lungs reperfused with LPS containing blood to mimic persistent sepsis, (2) group N (n = 6); LPS pretreated lungs reperfused with control blood to mimic the removal of the septic blood components, and (3) group C (n = 7); vehicle pretreated lungs reperfused with normal blood as a control. Blood gas exchange, shunt fraction (Qs/Qt), alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-aDO2), and variables for lung mechanics were measured. Leukosequestration was quantified with a myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. The PO2 (mm Hg) values at 90 min after reperfusion in groups S, N, and C were 67.8 +/- 7.0*, 85.2 +/- 9.2, and 90.1 +/- 7.5, respectively (*p < 0.05; vs. group N and C). In addition to PO2, A-aDO2 and Qs/Qt significantly deteriorated in group S. MPO activity in the lungs after LPS infusion was significantly higher than that after vehicle infusion (1.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.04 units/g tissue; p < 0.001). Subsequent reperfusion with LPS+ blood (group S) increased MPO activity to 3.1 +/- 0.6 (p < 0.05), but reperfusion with normal blood (group N) caused a significant decrease to 1.1 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.05). MPO activity in group C did not significantly change compared with those after vehicle infusion. Reperfusion with control blood normalized lung function compromised by pretreatment with LPS and significantly reduced leukosequestration. These results favor the possibility that the removal of LPS+ blood components may eliminate septic lung injury.