title: Effects of the Infusion of 4% or 20% Human Serum Albumin on the Skeletal Muscle Microcirculation in Endotoxemic Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sepsis-induced microcirculatory alterations contribute to tissue hypoxia and organ dysfunction. In addition to its plasma volume expanding activity, human serum albumin (HSA) has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may have a protective role in the microcirculation during sepsis. The concentration of HSA infused may influence these effects. We compared the microcirculatory effects of the infusion of 4% and 20% HSA in an experimental model of sepsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult male Wistar rats were equipped with arterial and venous catheters and received an intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, serotype O127:B8, 10 mg/kg over 30 minutes) or vehicle (SHAM, n = 6). Two hours later, endotoxemic animals were randomized to receive 10 mL/kg of either 4% HSA (LPS+4%HSA, n = 6), 20% HSA (LPS+20%HSA, n = 6) or 0.9% NaCl (LPS+0.9%NaCl, n = 6). No fluids were given to an additional 6 animals (LPS). Vessel density and perfusion were assessed in the skeletal muscle microcirculation with sidestream dark field videomicroscopy at baseline (t0), 2 hours after LPS injection (t1), after HSA infusion (t2) and 1 hour later (t3). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded. Serum endothelin-1 was measured at t2.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAP was stable over time in all groups. The microcirculatory parameters were significantly altered in endotoxemic animals at t1. The infusion of both 4% and 20% HSA similarly increased the perfused vessel density and blood flow velocity and decreased the flow heterogeneity to control values. Microvascular perfusion was preserved in the LPS+20%HSA group at t3, whereas alterations reappeared in the LPS+4%HSA group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a rat model of normotensive endotoxemia, the infusion of 4% or 20% HSA produced a similar acute improvement in the microvascular perfusion in otherwise unresuscitated animals.
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Damiani
authors.affiliation: Department of Translational Physiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ince
authors.affiliation: Advanced Technology Center for Aging Research, Scientific Technological Area, IRCCS-INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Fiorenza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.affiliation: Advanced Technology Center for Aging Research, Scientific Technological Area, IRCCS-INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pierpaoli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Disease and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cirioni
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Disease and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mocchegiani
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pelaia
authors.affiliation: Advanced Technology Center for Aging Research, Scientific Technological Area, IRCCS-INRCA, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Provinciali
authors.affiliation: Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Abele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Donati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D019446:Endotoxemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010477:Perfusion; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin