Effects of sepsis-induced acute lung injury on glycogen content in different tissues

The metabolic profile is very affected in sepsis, which is the most important cause of extrapulmonary acute lung injury (ALI-EX). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether sepsis-induced ALI-EX in mice affects the glycogen content in different tissues. This measurement could indicate performance limitations of tissues and constitute a novel biochemical aspect of ALI. ALI was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), which is a model that reproduces clinical and pathological alterations stemming from sepsis. Control group mice were sham-operated. Glycogen content (mg/g tissue) from different tissues was measured using the anthrone reagent. Glycogen content in the diaphragm (0.3 +/- 0.1) and gastrocnemius muscle (0.4 +/- 0.1) was lower in the sepsis group than the control group (0.9 +/- 0.1 and 1.1 +/- 0.2, respectively). However, there were no significant differences in glycogen content in the heart and kidney. Sepsis caused a greater thickening of the alveolar walls, more areas of atelectasis, and a greater abundance of inflammatory cells in comparison to the control group. These results demonstrate that glycogen content in sepsis-induced ALI-EX is altered in different tissues.