title: Effects of coagulation factor XIII on intestinal functional capillary density, leukocyte adherence and mesenteric plasma extravasation in experimental endotoxemia.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Charité Mitte, 10117 Berlin, Schumannstr, Germany. juergen.birnbaum@charite.de
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Ortrud Vargas
authors.initials: OV
authors.lastname: Hein
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lührs
authors.forename: Oskar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rückbeil
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spies
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ziemer
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gründling
authors.forename: Taras
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Usichenko
authors.forename: Konrad
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meissner
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pavlovic
authors.forename: Wolfgang J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kox
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lehmann
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D005176:Factor XIII