Thymol regulates the Endothelin-1 at gene expression and protein synthesis levels in septic rats

Sepsis is a serious systemic inflammatory response to infections. In this study, effects of thymol treatments on sepsis response were investigated. A total of 24 rats were randomly divided into 3 different treatment groups, namely as Control, Sepsis and Thymol. A sepsis model was created with a cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in the sepsis group. For the treatment group, 100 mg/kg dose of thymol was administered via oral gavage and sepsis was established with a CLP after 1 h. All rats were sacrificed at 12 h post-opia. Blood and tissue samples were taken. ALT, AST, urea, creatinine and LDH were evaluated to assess the sepsis response in separated sera. Gene expression analysis was conducted for ET-1, TNF-α, IL-1 in lung, kidney and liver tissue samples. ET-1 and thymol interactions were determined by molecular docking studies. The ET-1, SOD, GSH-Px and MDA levels were determined by ELISA method. Genetic, biochemical and histopathological results were evaluated statistically. The pro-inflammatory cytokines and ET-1 gene expression revealed a significant decrease in the treatment groups, while there was an increase in septic groups. SOD, GSH-Px and MDA levels of rat tissues were significantly different in the thymol groups as compared to the sepsis groups (p < 0.05). Likewise, ET-1 levels were significantly reduced in the thymol groups. In terms of serum parameters, present findings were consistent with the literature. It was concluded based on present findings that thymol therapy may reduce sepsis-related morbidity, which would be beneficial in the early phase of the sepsis.