The role of Kupffer cell inhibition in porcine endotoxemia.

Abstract

The selective Kupffer cell inhibitor gadolinium chloride (GdCl3) has been demonstrated to protect animals from lethality in experimental endotoxemia and sepsis in rodent models. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Kupffer cell blockade on the early response to endotoxin in a large animal model. Using a porcine endotoxemia model, animals were randomized to receive either GdCl3 (10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg; n = 8 in each group) or vehicle saline (n = 8) 24 h before exposure to endotoxin. Pretreatment with GdCl3 resulted in a dose dependent reduction in early hepatic oxygen consumption as well as oxygen extraction ratio in response to continuous infusion of endotoxin. At 5 h there was significant lower serum AST level in animals given 30 mg/kg of GdCl3 as compared to the two other groups. Pretreatment with GdCl3 induced a dose dependent reduction of Kupffer cells in the liver sinusoids. Despite this, all animals deteriorated with continuous infusion of endotoxin as evidenced by the progressive reduction in cardiac output, mean arterial pressure and total liver blood flow. Also, increases in pulmonary arterial pressure, portal venous pressure and systemic, pulmonary and hepatic vascular resistance were seen. This is consistent with activation of other cell populations and defense mechanisms by endotoxin, perpetuating the septic response. However, modulation of reticuloendothelial cell function seems feasible also in larger animals, and our results stimulate to further research on potential immunomodulatory tools in early sepsis.

• Authors: P F Jørgensen, P Götzinger, T Scholz, Y Gundersen, T Sautner, R Függer, P Lilleaasen, A O Aasen
• Journal: Shock (Augusta, Ga.) (Shock) Vol. 16 Issue 6 Pg. 466-72 (Dec 2001) ISSN: 1073-2322 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11770046 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Gadolinium
• gadolinium chloride

Topics

• Animals
• Bile (physiology)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cardiac Output (drug effects)
• Endotoxemia (drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
• Female
• Gadolinium (pharmacology)
• Kupffer Cells (drug effects, pathology, physiology)
• Leukocyte Count
• Liver Circulation (drug effects)
• Male
• Oxygen Consumption (drug effects)
• Pulmonary Circulation (drug effects)
• Swine
• Vascular Resistance (drug effects)