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Updated: Mar 3, 2026
Use of Animal Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Novel Herbal Therapies
Published on: April 11, 2012
Esmolol reduces apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats with abdominal infection
1Department of Intensive Care Unit, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin 300060, China.
Background:
Esmolol is a highly selective beta 1 receptor blocker with various effects such as slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure and reducing myocardial oxygen consumption. However, few studies have reported the use of beta blockers in sepsis with multiple organ dysfunctions. This study aimed to investigate the effects of esmolol on reducing apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats with abdominal infection.
Methods:
Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, sepsis group, antibiotic group, Esmolol + antibiotic group with low, median and high dose Esmolol (L group, M group and H group). Values between two or more groups were compared by independent t-tests.
Results:
In the liver and kidney, we found inflammatory infiltration in sepsis group while pathological aspects reduced in L, M and H groups. Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels increased while Bax mRNA and protein levels decreased in the liver and kidney of L, M and H groups. Serum IL-6, HMGB-1 and TNF-α levels decreased but IL-10 level increased in L, M and H groups, compared to sepsis group. Compared to sepsis and antibiotic groups, the levels of myocardial enzymes were lower in L, M and H groups.
Conclusion:
The administration of esmolol in early sepsis may reduce inflammation, inhibit apoptosis and protect key organs.
Insights
Esmolol administration in early sepsis reduced inflammation and apoptosis in rats. This beta-blocker treatment protected vital organs, showing promise for sepsis management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Sepsis Research
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Esmolol is a selective beta-1 receptor blocker.
- Limited research exists on beta-blocker use in sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction.
- Sepsis often involves inflammation and apoptosis, impacting organ function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of esmolol on apoptosis and inflammation in early sepsis rats.
- To evaluate esmolol's protective effects on organs during sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into sham, sepsis, antibiotic, and esmolol + antibiotic groups (varying doses).
- Independent t-tests were used for statistical comparisons between groups.
- Apoptosis markers (Bcl-2, Bax) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, HMGB-1, TNF-α, IL-10) were measured.
Main Results:
- Esmolol reduced inflammatory infiltration in the liver and kidney.
- Esmolol modulated Bcl-2 and Bax expression, indicating reduced apoptosis.
- Serum levels of IL-6, HMGB-1, and TNF-α decreased, while IL-10 increased with esmolol treatment.
- Myocardial enzyme levels were lower in esmolol-treated groups compared to sepsis and antibiotic groups.
Conclusions:
- Esmolol administration in early sepsis may mitigate inflammation.
- Esmolol demonstrated potential in inhibiting apoptosis during sepsis.
- Esmolol treatment showed protective effects on key organs in a rat sepsis model.
