title: Age-related mortality and adherent splenic cell mediator production to endotoxin in the rat.
abstract: Rat neonatal mortality to endotoxin and age-related changes in adherent splenic cell mediator production in vitro were investigated. Neonatal rat pups, 24, 48, 96, and 216 h old or maternal adult rats were administered doses of Salmonella enteritidis endotoxin, (.024 mg to 7.5 mg/kg) and survival was monitored for 72 h. Mortality demonstrated high sensitivity (p < .05) of neonates to endotoxin (particularly 24 h old neonates). Endotoxin administration .6 mg/kg intracardiac) produced a 100% lethality in 24 h neonates (p < .05) versus 23% or less lethality in the 48 to 216 h old age group. Endotoxin administration (.4 mg/kg subcutaneous) also produced 100% lethality in 24 h old neonates compared with reduced mortality versus older age groups. Endotoxin in vitro stimulated (p < .05) adherent splenic cell thromboxane (TX)B2, interleukin-6, and nitrite production in most groups. Splenic cell nitrite production was higher (p > .05) in the 24 h old neonates, but lower in 48 h and 96 h old groups compared with maternal adults. Splenic cell TXB2 production was higher (p < .05) in the 24 h and 216 h old neonates relative to maternal adults. In conclusion, 24 h old rat pups are more susceptible to endotoxic shock than older age groups and adults, and exhibit altered production of the cellular mediators nitric oxide and TXB2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Cochran
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: La Via
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cusumano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Teti
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cook
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004731:Endotoxins; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D015850:Interleukin-6; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D013929:Thromboxane B2