Myocardial collagen changes and edema in rats with hyperdynamic sepsis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if sepsis, which is accompanied by both systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction, involves changes in myocardial collagen, as myocardial collagen changes can affect both myocardial compliance and contractility.


METHODS
Prospective, randomized, controlled study.


METHODS
Animal laboratory at a university-affiliated hospital.


METHODS
Male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 310 to 396 g.


METHODS
Cecal ligation and perforation (to induce sepsis) for 24 (n = 9) or 48 hrs (n = 9); sham laparotomy for 24 (n = 10) or 48 hrs (n = 9) with saline fluid resuscitation or normal control (n = 5) groups.


RESULTS
Collagen content and interstitial space were determined, using polarized light microscopy and a computer video densitometry system. At 24 and 48 hrs post surgery, heart rate and cardiac index were increased, and systemic vascular resistance index was decreased significantly in the sepsis vs. the sham rats. Collagen content was decreased significantly in the sepsis vs. the sham groups both at 24 and 48 hrs following surgery (1.83 +/- 0.79 [SD] % [24 hrs], 1.76 +/- 0.31% [48 hrs] vs. 2.83 +/- 0.73% [24 hrs], 2.25 +/- 0.72% [48 hrs]; p < .01). Interstitial space was increased significantly in the sepsis vs. the sham groups (13.9 +/- 3.5% [24 hrs], 15.6 +/- 5.2% [48 hrs] vs. 8.6 +/- 4.2% [24 hrs], 9.9 +/- 4.8% [48 hrs]; p < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Sepsis is accompanied by changes in myocardial collagen content and myocardial edema. These changes may contribute to the systolic and diastolic myocardial dysfunction, and particularly to the ventricular dilation, observed in sepsis.
Yu
P
P
A.C. Burton Vascular Biology Laboratory, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada.
Boughner
D R
DR
Sibbald
W J
WJ
keys
J
J
Dunmore
J
J
Martin
C M
CM
D000818:Animals; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003094:Collagen; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006948:Hyperkinesis; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D003094:Collagen