Survival in septic guinea pigs is influenced by vitamin E, but not by vitamin C in enteral diets.
Oxygen-free radicals are produced during sepsis, and may contribute to cell injury and dysfunction. We studied the effect of different levels of vitamins E and C in the diet fed enterally to septic guinea pigs. Sixty-four female guinea pigs were provided with gastrostomies and allowed to recover. Intraperitoneal osmotic pumps were then implanted that provided effusion of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus for the next 7 days. Three days after pump implantations, the animals were started on one of nine diets. The diets were isocaloric and isonitrogenous, and differed only in the amounts of vitamins E and C. Three levels of each vitamin were used, based on the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). The feedings were continued for 2 weeks, during which time mortality was observed. The amount of vitamin C had no effect on outcome, with mortality rates of 68% (15/22) in the 1 x RDA group, 73% (16/22) in the 5 x RDA group, and 65% (13/20) in the 25 x RDA group. However, vitamin E altered outcome significantly, with mortality rates of 86% (18/21) in the 1 x RDA group, 45% (10/22) in the 3 x RDA group, and 76% (16/21) in the 9 x RDA group. Mortality in the 3 x RDA group was significantly lower than that in the 1 x RDA group and in the 9 x RDA group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Peck
M D
MD
Department of Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida.
Alexander
J W
JW
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D014810:Vitamin E; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D010100:Oxygen