Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 29, 2025
07:34
Use of Animal Model of Sepsis to Evaluate Novel Herbal Therapies
Published on: April 11, 2012
19.6K
Female hormones prevent sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction: an experimental randomized study.
Alexandre Xerri1,2, Frédéric Gallardo3, Frank Kober4
1Aix-Marseille Univ, Service d'anesthésie et de réanimation, Hôpital Nord, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Chemin des Bourrely, 13015, Marseille, France. alexandre.xerri@ap-hm.fr.
Scientific Reports
|March 24, 2022
Summary
Hormonal status significantly impacts sepsis outcomes in female rats. Ovariectomy exacerbates sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction, while landiolol benefits ovariectomized rats but harms controls, highlighting sex-specific therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Endocrinology
- Sepsis Pathophysiology
Background:
- Epidemiologic studies reveal sex-based disparities in sepsis incidence and outcomes.
- Biological mechanisms underlying these sex differences, particularly the role of hormonal status, remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of hormonal status on cardiac performance during sepsis in female rats.
- To evaluate the efficacy of landiolol, a selective β1-adrenergic blocker, in mitigating sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction in relation to hormonal status.
Main Methods:
- Cardiac function was assessed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in non-ovariectomized (control) and ovariectomized (OVR) female rats subjected to sepsis via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).
- Groups included sham, sepsis, and sepsis plus landiolol treatment.
- Myocardial gene and protein expression, capillary permeability, and inflammatory markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Sepsis reduced cardiac performance (indexed stroke volume, cardiac index) in OVR females but not in control females.
- OVR females exhibited JAK2 overexpression, STAT3 phosphorylation, and adrenergic pathway inhibition.
- Landiolol improved cardiac function in OVR females by reversing end-diastolic volume reduction, associated with increased calcium influx.
- Conversely, landiolol impaired cardiac function in control females, linked to β-adrenergic pathway inactivation and reduced calcium efflux.
Conclusions:
- Sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction is exacerbated by ovariectomy in female rats, potentially due to inflammation and altered adrenergic/calcium signaling.
- Landiolol demonstrates a sex- and hormonal status-dependent therapeutic effect, improving cardiac function in OVR females but detrimentally affecting controls.
