title: Glycyrrhizin protects against porcine endotoxemia through modulation of systemic inflammatory response.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Glycyrrhizin (GL) was recently found to suppress high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)-induced injury by binding directly to it. However, the effect of GL on HMGB1 expression in endotoxemia as well as its underlying molecular mechanism remained unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one pigs were divided into four groups: sham group (n=3), control group (n=6), ethyl pyruvate group (n=6) and glycyrrhizin group (n=6). Pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated, monitored and given a continuous intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twelve hours after the start of the LPS infusion, ethyl pyruvate (30 mg/kg/hr) or glycyrrhizin (1 mg/kg/hr) was administered for 12 hours. Systemic and pulmonary hemodynamics, oxygen exchange, and metabolic status were measured. The concentrations of cytokines in serum and the corresponding gene and protein expressions in tissue samples from liver, lungs, kidneys, small intestine and lymph nodes were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GL maintained the stability of systemic hemodynamics and improved pulmonary oxygen exchange and metabolic status. GL also attenuated organ injury and decreased the serum levels of HMGB1 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting their gene and protein expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GL improved systemic hemodynamics and protected vital organs against porcine endotoxemia through modulation of the systemic inflammatory response. By reducing the serum level and gene expression of HMGB1 and other pro-inflammatory cytokines, GL may become a potential agent for the treatment of sepsis.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Xiantao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Tongwa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Hechen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011897:Random Allocation; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020011:Protective Agents; D019695:Glycyrrhizic Acid