Effects of coagulation factor XIII on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation in experimental endotoxemia.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the administration of the coagulation factor XIII (F XIII) on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation during experimental endotoxemia.


METHODS
In a prospective, randomized, controlled animal study 42 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 served as the control group. Groups 2 (lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group) and 3 (F XIII group) received endotoxin infusions (2.5 mg/kg/h for 2 hours). In group 3, 50 U/kg body weight F XIII was continuously administered during the first 30 minutes of endotoxemia. F XIII levels were measured in all animals. One half of the animals of each group were studied for intestinal functional capillary density (FCD) and leukocyte adherence on venular endothelium by intravital fluorescence microscopy (IVM). In the other half of each group, mesenteric plasma extravasation (FITC-albumin) was determined by IVM.


RESULTS
The F XIII level was significantly increased in the F XIII treatment group. In the LPS group, endotoxemia led to a significant reduction of mucosal FCD (-18.5%; p < 0.01 versus control group). F XIII administration in the F XIII group attenuated the decrease in mucosal FCD (-3.7% compared to control; p < 0.05 versus LPS group). During endotoxemia, a significant increase of leukocyte adherence at the endothelium could be noted in the LPS group compared to the control group. Leukocyte adherence at the endothelium and plasma extravasation in the F XIII group did not differ significantly from the LPS group.


CONCLUSIONS
Factor XIII protected mucosal capillary perfusion against endotoxin-induced impairment in an experimental sepsis model in rats, whereas leukocyte adherence and plasma extravasation remained unchanged.
Birnbaum
Jürgen
J
Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Schumannstr, Germany. juergen.birnbaum@charite.de
Hein
Ortrud Vargas
OV
Lührs
Carsten
C
Rückbeil
Oskar
O
Spies
Claudia
C
Ziemer
Sabine
S
Gründling
Matthias
M
Usichenko
Taras
T
Meissner
Konrad
K
Pavlovic
Dragan
D
Kox
Wolfgang J
WJ
Lehmann
Christian
C
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002199:Capillary Permeability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005176:Factor XIII / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008642:Mesenteric Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D005176:Factor XIII