JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Oxidative Stress in Sepsis: A Focus on Cardiac Pathology

  • 0SIC Medicina Legale, Via Potito Petrone, 85100 Potenza, Italy.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences +

|

March 13, 2024

|

March 13, 2024

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Sepsis significantly increases oxidative stress in the heart, evidenced by elevated markers like 8-OHdG in cardiomyocyte nuclei. This imbalance contributes to cardiac dysfunction in sepsis, suggesting redox-targeted therapies may be beneficial.

Area Of Science

  • Cardiovascular Pathology
  • Sepsis Pathophysiology
  • Oxidative Stress Research

Background

  • Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by a dysregulated host response to infection.
  • Cardiac dysfunction is a common and serious complication in sepsis.
  • The role of oxidative stress in sepsis-induced cardiac damage requires further elucidation.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the presence and extent of oxidative stress in post-mortem human cardiac specimens from sepsis victims.
  • To evaluate specific immunohistological markers of oxidative and nitrosative stress in sepsis-related cardiac pathology.
  • To correlate oxidative stress markers with cardiac dysfunction in sepsis.

Main Methods

  • Analysis of post-mortem human cardiac tissue using immunohistochemistry.
  • Quantification of oxidative/nitrosative stress markers: inducible nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS), NOX2, nitrotyrosine, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).
  • Comparison of marker expression between subjects who died of sepsis and a control group.

Main Results

  • Significantly higher expression of i-NOS, NOX2, and nitrotyrosine in the septic death group compared to controls.
  • A significant increase in 8-OHdG, with 70% of cardiomyocyte nuclei showing positivity in septic specimens.
  • Intense NOX2 and nitrotyrosine immunoreaction observed in cardiac cells of septic individuals, indicating substantial oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Conclusions

  • Oxidative and nitrosative stress are significantly elevated in the hearts of individuals who died from sepsis.
  • The observed imbalance in redox markers correlates with the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in sepsis.
  • Findings support further research into oxidative stress in other organs and the potential for redox-targeting therapies in sepsis management.

Keywords:

Related Concept Videos

Pathophysiology of Heart Failure 01:17

1.6K

Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...

Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease 01:27

30

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System I: Cardiac Biomarkers 01:20

145

Cardiac biomarkers are enzymes, proteins, and hormones released into the blood when cardiac cells are injured. They are powerful tools for triaging.
The essential diagnostic tools for detecting myocardial necrosis and monitoring individuals suspected of having acute coronary syndrome (ACS) include:
Troponins
Troponins, particularly cardiac troponins I and T, are the most precise and sensitive markers of myocardial injury. They are detectable within 4-6 hours of myocardial injury and remain...

Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance 01:29

645

Typical heart performance is influenced by heart rate, rhythm, myocardial contraction, and metabolism or blood flow. The cardiac muscle exhibits distinct electrophysiological features, including pacemaker activity and calcium channel control, which play a vital role in the heart's response to various drugs. The autonomic nervous system, comprising the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, regulates heart rate. Sympathetic activation increases heart rate, while parasympathetic activation...