Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Visualization of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Mesenteric Venules After Mesenteric Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via Intravital Microscopy
Published on: September 27, 2024
Effects of C1 esterase inhibitor administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and
Christian Lehmann1,2, Jürgen Birnbaum3, Carsten Lührs3
1Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald, F.-Loeffler-Strasse 23, 17489, Greifswald, Germany. christian.lehmann@uni-greifswald.de.
Objective:
To determine the effects of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) administration on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence, and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia.
Design And Setting:
Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study in the experimental laboratory of a university.
Subjects:
42 male Wistar rats.
Interventions:
The animals were divided into three groups. One half of the animals of each group underwent studies of intestinal functional capillary density and leukocyte adherence on venular endothelium by intravital fluorescence microscopy. In the other half of the animals mesenteric plasma extravasation (FITC albumin) was determined by intravital fluorescence microscopy. Treatment groups received endotoxin infusion of 2.5 mg/kg per hour (group 2 and 3) and 100 U/kg b.w. C1-INH (group 3) during the 2 h of endotoxemia.
Measurements And Results:
Endotoxemia resulted in a significant decrease in mucosal functional capillary density (18.5% vs. controls), which was reduced by C1-INH administration (9.5%). Treatment with C1-INH also significantly attenuated intestinal leukocyte adherence in submucosal venules (35% vs. endotoxin group) and mesenteric plasma extravasation (44% vs. endotoxin group).
Conclusions:
C1-INH administration diminishes endotoxin-induced changes in the intestinal microcirculation during experimental endotoxemia.
