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Lazaroid improves intestinal blood flow in the rat during hyperdynamic bacteraemia
R J Krysztopik1, F R Bentley, D A Spain
1Department of Surgery, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
The British Journal of Surgery
|February 4, 1998
Summary
Antioxidant lazaroids mitigated intestinal vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion caused by E. coli sepsis in rats. This suggests free radicals damage the gut microcirculation during bacterial infections.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Microcirculation
Background:
- Sepsis can cause intestinal hypoperfusion and barrier dysfunction.
- Free radicals generated during sepsis may injure endothelial cells, impacting microvascular reactivity.
- Antioxidants, like lazaroids, show promise in experimental sepsis models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if lazaroids alter intestinal microvascular responses during sepsis.
- To determine the role of free radicals in sepsis-induced microvascular changes.
Main Methods:
- In vivo video microscopy was used to assess rat ileal microcirculation.
- Measurements included arteriolar diameter, blood flow, and cardiac output.
- Lazaroid or vehicle was administered before Escherichia coli or saline injection.
Main Results:
- E. coli induced significant intestinal vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion.
- Lazaroids attenuated the vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion caused by E. coli.
- Lazaroids did not affect central hemodynamic responses, such as cardiac output.
Conclusions:
- E. coli bacteremia leads to intestinal vasoconstriction and hypoperfusion.
- Lazaroids effectively reduced these microvascular effects.
- Findings suggest free radicals contribute to intestinal microcirculatory damage in bacteremia.
