Effect of Induced Mild Hypothermia on Acid-Base Balance During Experimental Acute Sepsis in Rats

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of induced mild hypothermia (34°C) on acid-base balance in septic rats. Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats median weight 306 g, range 251-333 g were used. After anesthesia and when the target temperature was reached (normothermia: 38°C or induced mild hypothermia: 34°C), sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation. Measurements of cardiopulmonary parameters and blood samples were performed at T0h (occurring immediately after chirurgical procedures), T2h, T4h (at each temperature), and T6h (at 34°C only). Blood oxygen saturation, heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pH, carbon dioxide partial pressure, sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium concentrations, hematocrit, blood lactate, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 concentrations were measured on anesthetized rats. Other parameters such as bicarbonate concentration, hemoglobin concentration, base excess, and anion gap were estimated from measured parameters. Main results showed that an increase in both cytokines concentrations was observed in septic rats compared with sham rats. This increase was less marked at 34°C compared with 38°C. Moreover, sepsis induction led to a marked metabolic acidosis and hypothermia delayed this acidosis. Induced mild hypothermia delays the evolution of cytokines and metabolic acidosis during experimental sepsis.