The effect of tuftsin and splenectomy on mortality after intraabdominal sepsis

A murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to test the effect of tuftsin, with or without splenectomy, on mortality following intraabdominal sepsis. There were no deaths among shamoperated control mice after ether anesthesia, whereas CLP produced an 100% mortality by 24 hr. When CLP was followed at 16 hr by excision of the cecum and saline peritoneal lavage, the mortality rate was 20% at 24 hr and 60% at 72 hr. When tuftsin (1 mg/kg) was given only at 0, 12, and 24 hr in the CLPE model, the mortality rates were not significantly lower than CLPE alone (10% at 24 hr, 40% at 72 hr). When the tuftsin dose was increased to every 12 hr for 3 days, the mortality fell significantly to 0 and 13.5% at 24 and 72 hr (P less than 0.05 chi 2 vs CLPE ). Splenectomy 2 weeks prior to CLPE did not alter mortality (11% at 24 hr, 53% at 72 hr). When tuftsin was administered to the splenectomized animals undergoing CLPE , mortality did not change significantly (13.5% at 24 hr, 38% at 72 hr). These data suggest that tuftsin can confer protection from sepsis in animals with normal spleens, but it must be given longitudinally to be effective optimally. Splenectomy followed 2 weeks later by CLPE did not lead to increased mortality, and tuftsin did not reduce mortality in the asplenic animal.