Effects of live Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis on metabolism and hepatic pO2.
Rats were infused intraaterially with 10(9) live E coli, or 10(10) live B fragilis, or 0.9% NaCl solution. Within 6 hr or sooner E coli-treated rats extensive hepatic hypoxia (mean hepatic pO2 less than 5 mm Hg), hypoglycemia, lactacidemia, and microscopic evidence of sinusoidal damage and hepatocyte hypoxia. Mortality was 100% within 24 hr. Rats which received B fragilis showed significantly less hepatic hypoxia (mean hepatic pO2 13.8 mm Hg) and lactacidemia and were euglycemic at 6 hr. Hepatic tissue showed congested sinusoids and depletion of glycogen. Mortality was 0% in 24 hr. NaCl-treated rats were stable over 6 hr of observation; mean hepatic pO2 was 20.6 mm Hg. We suggest that the events associated with acute lethal E coli bacteremia are related in part to strutural interference of the hepatic microcirculation. Although the effects of B fragilis bacteremia were appreciably less pronounced, the ability to establish hypoxic foci may have important implications.
D000818:Animals; D001442:Bacteroides Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D001441:Bacteroides fragilis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000378:metabolism; D006339:Heart Rate; D006400:Hematocrit; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid; D010100:Oxygen