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Endotoxin Activity Assay for the Detection of Whole Blood Endotoxemia in Critically Ill Patients
Published on: June 24, 2019
Spermine and endothelial damage during endotoxemia.
Christoph Peter1, Christine Barth, Elke Petri
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany. christoph.peter@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Inflammation
|April 10, 2008
Summary
Spermine, a nitric oxide releasing agent, significantly reduces macromolecular leakage in early endotoxemia. This effect is observed when spermine is combined with fucoidin, an L- and P-selectin inhibitor.
Area of Science:
- Endothelial biology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Platelets and nitric oxide play key roles in endothelial dysfunction during endotoxemia.
- Spermine, a polyamine, is a potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation.
- The independent effects of spermine on macromolecular leakage in endotoxemia are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of spermine as a single agent on macromolecular leakage during early endotoxemia.
- To explore the interaction between spermine and fucoidin in modulating endothelial permeability.
Main Methods:
- Male Wistar rats were used to assess macromolecular efflux in mesenteric postcapillary venules via intravital microscopy.
- Experiments involved leukocyte-independent endotoxemia models using fucoidin.
- Spermine and spermine-NONOate were administered alone or in combination with fucoidin.
Main Results:
- Combined treatment with spermine and fucoidin significantly reduced macromolecular efflux during endotoxemia.
- This reduction was comparable to that observed with spermine-NONOate and fucoidin.
- Spermine and fucoidin as single agents did not affect macromolecular efflux.
Conclusions:
- Spermine, independent of its nitric oxide-releasing capacity, can reduce macromolecular leakage in early endotoxemia.
- An interaction between fucoidin and spermine contributes to the reduction in endothelial permeability.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanism of this interaction.
