We studied the effect of
carbon dioxide (CO2)
pneumoperitoneum on the systemic and peritoneal
cytokine response in a rat model of intraperitoneal
sepsis. After
intraperitoneal injection of bacterial
lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg), rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 49 in each group): control (abdominal
puncture); CO2
pneumoperitoneum, and
laparotomy. Blood and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) were sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after LPS challenge. Blood cell counts, plasma
endotoxin level, and the levels of
tumor necrosis factor-alpha (
TNF-alpha),
interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and
interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the plasma and PLF were measured. Blood cell counts did not differ between the 3 groups. Plasma
endotoxin levels in the
pneumoperitoneum group were significantly increased immediately after the procedure (p < 0.05). Although peak plasma
TNF-alpha levels in the
pneumoperitoneum group were seen immediately after the procedure, other changes in plasma
cytokine levels did not differ significantly between the 3 groups. PLF
TNF-alpha and IL-1beta levels in the
pneumoperitoneum group were significantly lower than levels in the control and
laparotomy groups soon after the procedure (p < 0.05). PLF
IL-6 levels in the
pneumoperitoneum group tended to be lower than those in the
laparotomy group. In conclusion, CO2
pneumoperitoneum might induce different responses between systemic and peritoneal
cytokines soon after the procedure in a rat model of intraperitoneal
sepsis.