Open AccessAlterations in the functions of the reticuloendothelial and protease‐antiprotease systems after intraperitoneal injection of zymosan in rats
Author(s) -
Deng Xiaoming,
Sun Zhengwu,
Lasson Åke,
Wang Xiangdong,
Andersson Roland
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
european journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1741-9271
pISSN - 1102-4151
DOI - 10.1080/110241598750005714
Subject(s) - zymosan , intraperitoneal injection , mononuclear phagocyte system , endocrinology , medicine , hemoconcentration , spleen , saline , hematocrit , pharmacology , chemistry , immunology , biochemistry , in vitro
Objective: To evaluate alterations in the function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and potential protective effects of pretreatment with the antioxidants: N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) or dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), after intraperitoneal injection of zymosan (0.50 mg/g body weight) in rats. Design: Experimental study. Setting: University hospital, Sweden. Animals: 81 male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Intervention: Intraperitoneal injection of either 4 ml saline or zymosan suspension (0.50 mg/g body weight). One hour before the intraperitoneal injection, 1 ml of saline, or a solution of NAC (150 mg/kg) or DMSO (80 mg/kg) were given intravenously. Main outcome measures: Systemic arterial pressure, packed cell volume, concentrations of plasma proteins and plasma protease inhibitors, uptake of 125 I‐labelled Escherichia coli in organs, blood clearance and body uptake rate of radiolabelled E. coli , and blood flow in organs at 3, 6, and 12 hours after injection. Results: The uptake of radiolabelled E. coli in the liver, spleen and lungs decreased significantly from 3 hours onwards after zymosan challenge ( p < 0.05). Blood clearance and body uptake rate also decreased significantly from 3 hours onwards ( p < 0.05), but this did not correlate with the reduction in organ blood flow. Significant falls in plasma concentrations of prekallikrein ( p < 0.01) and protease inhibitors ( p < 0.05) suggested possible contact‐phase activation and activation of the kallikrein‐kinin and fibrinolytic system. Pretreatment with NAC, and to a less extent DMSO, significantly prevented these alterations in RES function. Conclusion: Zymosan induced an impairment in RES function that was not initially associated with a reduction in blood flow. Plasma proteolytic activity seems to be involved in the impaired RES function. Pretreatment with NAC or DMSO effectively improved RES function. Copyright © 1998 Taylor and Francis Ltd.