Preserved cerebral microcirculation in early stages of endotoxemia in mechanically-ventilated rabbits

The purpose of our study was to evaluate changes of the cerebral microcirculation during the early stages of endotoxemia in mechanically-ventilated rabbits using Sidestream dark-field (SDF) imaging. Images were obtained using SDF imaging from the surface of the brain via craniotomy before and after rapid administration of a high dose of endotoxin or saline (control group). Although endotoxin shock was successfully induced, we have not found any significant alteration of the cerebral microcirculation during the shock. We speculate that either the model of sepsis with a rapid high dose of endotoxin does not reflect the usual progression of septic encephalopathy or some components other than cerebral microcirculatory alteration play a role at the early stage of septic encephalopathy and the cerebral microcirculation is still preserved. Further studies are needed to clarify our findings.