Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are degradative enzymes, which act to remodel tissue. Their activity is regulated by the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). An imbalance in the degradation/inhibition activities has been associated with many diseases, including sepsis. We have previously shown that TIMP-3 knockout animals develop spontaneous, progressive air space enlargement. The ...

Endotoxemia is associated with impaired diaphragm contractility, and increased nitric oxide (NO) production has recently been implicated in this phenomenon. However, the precise nature of sepsis-related alterations in diaphragm myofiber function remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that enhanced NO synthesis during sepsis produces diaphragm sarcolemmal injury with attendant abnormalities o...

The intracellular redox state of alveolar cells is a determining factor for tolerance to oxidative and pro-inflammatory stresses. This study investigated the effects of intratracheal co-administration of antioxidants encapsulated in liposomes on the lungs of rats subjected to sepsis. For this, male rats subjected to sepsis induced by lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli or placebo operation...

BACKGROUND Electrophysiological studies show that critical illness polyneuromyopathy appears in the early stage of sepsis before the manifestation of clinical findings. The metabolic response observed during sepsis causes glutamine to become a relative essential amino acid. AIMS We aimed to assess the changes in neuromuscular transmission in the early stage of sepsis after glutamine supplemen...

Our aims were to study the influence of the mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) of rats on systemic lipopolysaccharide and to identify the factor that affects the intestinal endotoxin translocation. Ninety-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (S group) and a cecal ligation and perforation group (CLP group). Twenty-four hours after modeling, we tested the Th1/Th2 ratio...

PURPOSE In this study we examined the ability of selenium and vitamin E to prevent sepsis-induced changes in lung tissue. METHODS Fifty rats were divided into five groups: Group 1: Control group; Group 2: Sepsis group. In this group only cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) was performed. Group 3: Selenium group. An intraperitoneal dose of 100 µg selenium was given for the first two days foll...

Although a lower transfusion trigger is generally recommended, little evidence is available about the physiological mechanisms of mild anemia in diseases with an imbalance between O2supply and O2 demand such as sepsis. This study was undertaken to describe the systemic and coronary metabolic O2 reserve in an awake sheep model of hyperdynamic sepsis comparing two different hemoglobin levels. Twe...

Elevated production of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible NO synthase (type II, iNOS) may contribute to the vascular hyporesponsiveness and hemodynamic alterations associated with sepsis. Selective inhibition of this isoenzyme is a possible therapeutic intervention to correct these pathophysiological alterations. Aminoguanidine has been shown to be a selective iNOS inhibitor and to correct the ...

OBJECTIVE The pathogenesis of sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is very complicated and not well understood. However, the importance of lymphocyte percentage and ratio is implicated. Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medication and plays a role in protecting gastrointestinal mucous and controlling the SIRS damage. Ulinastatin is a protease inhibitor that prevents overproduction ...

We hypothesized that normotensive sepsis affects the ability of the microcirculation to appropriately regulate microregional red blood cell (RBC) flux. An extensor digitorum longus muscle preparation for intravital study was used to compare the distribution of RBC flux and the functional hyperemic response in SHAM rats and rats made septic by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Using intravit...