Endothelin concentrations in experimental sepsis: profiles of big endothelin and endothelin 1-21 in lethal peritonitis in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To define the profiles of endothelin (ET), both big ET and active 21 amino acid ET (ET 1-21) in the plasma and peritoneal cavity of rats with peritonitis.


METHODS
Open laboratory study.


METHODS
University hospital, Norway.


METHODS
170 adult male Wistar rats.


METHODS
Lethal peritonitis was induced by making a 4 mm caecal perforation.


METHODS
Mortality, together with concentrations of total ET, ET 1-21 (measured by two radioimmunoassays), bacteria, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and lactate at baseline, two hours, and then four-hourly intervals for 24 hours.


RESULTS
ET reached its maximum at 8 hours, and had returned to baseline after 24 hours. In the first phase of septicaemia there was more big ET than ET 1-21, but the proportions had equalised by 8 hours. There were higher concentrations of both big ET and ET 1-21 in peritoneal fluid than in plasma.


CONCLUSIONS
In rats with peritonitis the profiles of big ET and ET 1-21 closely followed mortality, and blood concentrations of bacteria, endotoxin, TNF, IL-6, and lactate.
Lundblad
R
R
Department of Surgical Oncology, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo.
Giercksky
K E
KE
D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism; D007773:Lactates / Q000378:metabolism; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism
D019332:Endothelin-1; D016232:Endothelins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D007773:Lactates; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011498:Protein Precursors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D019344:Lactic Acid