Effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in cirrhotic rats with pneumococcal pneumonia.

Abstract

A rat model was used to study the effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the pathogenesis of pneumococcal pneumonia in cirrhosis. G-CSF or 5% dextrose in water was administered subcutaneously to cirrhotic and control rats before or after transtracheal infection with type 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae. In both groups, G-CSF significantly increased the total number and percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) in peripheral blood (P < .002) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < .01). An in vivo phagocytosis assay revealed no increase in uptake of pneumococci by PMNL within the lungs of cirrhotic or control rats receiving G-CSF. G-CSF administered before infection did not protect cirrhotic or control rats, but G-CSF treatment after infection significantly reduced mortality in control (P = .04) but not cirrhotic rats. These data suggest that despite increasing numbers of circulating and pulmonary PMNL, G-CSF does not protect against fatal pneumococcal pneumonia in cirrhotic rats.

• Authors: L C Preheim, M U Snitily, M J Gentry
• Journal: The Journal of infectious diseases (J Infect Dis) Vol. 174 Issue 1 Pg. 225-8 (Jul 1996) ISSN: 0022-1899 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8656001 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Topics

• Animals
• Disease Models, Animal
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental (complications, physiopathology)
• Neutrophils (drug effects)
• Phagocytosis (drug effects)
• Pneumonia, Pneumococcal (complications, physiopathology, prevention & control)
• Rats
• Time Factors