thromboxane-b2 and Peritonitis

Peritonitis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) can be used as an in vivo model to study the contribution of mediators in dialysate to the regulation of peritoneal permeability. Previously we reported that changes in the peritoneal appearance rates of the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) were related to alterations in the effective peritoneal surface area. Changes in the intrinsic peritoneal permeability were mainly related to those in the peritoneal appearance rate of the prostanoid prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and partly also to that of IL-6. In this intervention study the role of these mediators was further analyzed. Eleven peritonitis episodes were followed on 8 consecutive days from the start of the infection and once after recovery. Indomethacin was given intraperitoneally during the first 3 days. beta 2-Microglobulin clearance was used as indicator of the effective peritoneal surface area. The intrinsic peritoneal permeability was characterized functionally by the restriction coefficient. The 15 peritonitis episodes studied previously served as the control group. This study supports the formerly obtained relationships in two ways. First, significant reductions were observed for peritoneal PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and TxB2 during cyclooxygenase inhibition to 6%, 0.6%, and 9% of the values on day 1, whereas simultaneously the intrinsic permeability was less increased. This indomethacin effect on intrinsic permeability was not entirely significant, probably because of the additional role of IL-6, which was not influenced by indomethacin. Also, the appearance rate of TNF alpha in the effluent was not affected by cyclooxygenase inhibition. Accordingly, the changes in the effective surface area were similar to those in the control group. Second, in 8 of the 11 cases, new rises both in peritoneal PGE2 and in intrinsic permeability occurred after discontinuation of indomethacin. Rebounds were not seen for TNF alpha or IL-6, and, consistently, not for the effective surface area. In conclusion, local cyclooxygenase inhibition results in a less-increased intrinsic permeability during peritonitis but has no effect on the effective surface area. These data support our previous finding that IL-6 and TNF alpha contribute to alterations in surface area, whereas PGE2 is more involved in intrinsic peritoneal permeability changes.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta 2-Microglobulin; Cell Membrane Permeability; Dinoprostone; Female; Humans; Indomethacin; Interleukin-6; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritoneum; Peritonitis; Thromboxane B2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Recent studies have shown that the risk of variceal bleeding in patients with liver cirrhosis increases with infections such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). In this study, we hypothesized that pretreatment with intraperitoneal LPS may escalate portal hypertension. In fibrotic livers (4 weeks after bile duct ligation, BDL), the activation of Kupffer cells (KCs) by zymosan (150 microg/ml) in the isolated non-recirculating liver perfusion system resulted in a transient increase in portal perfusion pressure. Pretreatment with intraperitoneal LPS (1 mg/kg body weight (b.w.) for 3 h) increased basal portal perfusion pressure, and prolonged the zymosan-induced increase from transient to a long-lasting increase that was sustained until the end of the experiments in BDL but not in sham-operated animals. Pretreatment with gadolinium chloride (10 mg/kg b.w.), MK-886 (0.6 mg/kg b.w.), Ly171883 (20 microM) or BM 13.177 (20 microM) reduced the maximal and long-lasting pressure increase in BDL animals by approximately 50-60%. The change in portal perfusion pressure was paralleled by a long-lasting production of cysteinyl leukotriene (Cys-LT) and thromboxane (TX) after LPS pretreatment. However, the response to vasoconstrictors was not altered by intraperitoneal LPS. Western blot analyses showed an increased Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 and MyD88 expression after LPS pretreatment. In vivo experiments confirmed that intraperitoneal LPS increased basal portal pressure, and extended the portal pressure increase produced by intraportal zymosan or by LPS infusion. In conclusion, upregulation of TLR4 and MyD88 expression in fibrotic livers confers hypersensitivity to LPS. This may lead to escalation of portal hypertension by production of TX and Cys-LT after endotoxin-induced KC activation. Therefore, LT inhibitors may represent a promising treatment option in addition to early administration of antibiotics in SBP.

Topics: Animals; Cysteine; Hypertension, Portal; Infusions, Parenteral; Leukotrienes; Lipopolysaccharides; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88; Peritonitis; Portal Pressure; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Thromboxane B2; Toll-Like Receptor 4

Infectious reactions are known to comprise changes in vasopermeability and inflammatory mediators. We used peritonitis that complicated continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) as an in vivo inflammation model to study the time courses of peritoneal permeability characteristics and mediators in dialysate. Sixteen episodes of peritonitis were prospectively followed on eight consecutive days from the onset of the infection and once after recovery (control). Dialysate night dwells were examined for marker proteins of peritoneal permeability, cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], interleukin-6 [IL-6] and prostaglandins (PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and thromboxane B2 [TxB2]). The clearance of beta 2-microglobulin was used as indicator of the effective peritoneal surface area. The intrinsic permeability was characterized functionally by the peritoneal restriction coefficient. All protein clearances were increased during the acute phase of peritonitis and subsequently decreased to control. Likewise, the intrinsic peritoneal permeability was elevated, as demonstrated by a decrease of the peritoneal restriction coefficient. Peritoneal appearance rates of TNF-alpha, IL-6, and prostaglandins were also increased during the acute phase. Peak values were reached on day 1. The largest increase was observed for IL-6 (median 854-fold), followed by TNF-alpha (35-fold). The vasodilating PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha were increased 12-fold and the vasoconstricting TxB2 was increased threefold. Evidence was obtained for local intraperitoneal synthesis of IL-6 and prostaglandins. TNF-alpha production appeared to be present only during the early acute inflammatory response. Analysis of variance for repeated measurements revealed that changes in the clearance of beta 2-microglobulin were related to those in IL-6 and marginally also to TNF-alpha in dialysate. Changes in the peritoneal restriction coefficient were also related to IL-6, but were more closely related to alterations in dialysate PGE2. These findings suggest that TNF-alpha, IL-6, and PGE2 are involved in the changes in permeability characteristics during CAPD-related peritonitis.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Adult; Aged; beta 2-Microglobulin; Dinoprostone; Female; Humans; Interleukin-6; Kinetics; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritoneum; Peritonitis; Permeability; Prostaglandins; Thromboxane B2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vasodilation

To evaluate the effects of ibuprofen on gram-negative septic shock, immature piglets were subjected to fecal-Escherichia coli peritonitis. Group I (n = 5) received a 12.5 mg/kg bolus of ibuprofen in 0.9% benzyl alcohol, followed by a continuous infusion of 6.25 mg/kg/h. Group II (n = 5) received the vehicle, benzyl alcohol, and Group III (n = 5) received lactated Ringer's solution. Mean survival times among the three groups were not significantly different. Ibuprofen-treated animals had a mean survival time (+/- S.E.M.) of 17.1 +/- 2 h vs. 19.2 +/- 2.4 h in the benzyl alcohol group and 15.7 +/- 2.7 h in the animals receiving lactated Ringer's solution. Thromboxane B2 levels were not significantly different in the treatment vs. non-treatment groups while 6-keto-PGF1a levels were significantly lower in the ibuprofen-treated animals. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were not prevented by treatment with ibuprofen.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Animals; Escherichia coli Infections; Ibuprofen; Leukocyte Count; Peritonitis; Platelet Count; Pulmonary Circulation; Shock, Septic; Swine; Thromboxane B2; Vascular Resistance

Mast cells are secretory cells strategically located in the vicinity of blood vessels where they can readily initiate and modulate various inflammatory processes, including plasma exudation and leukocyte infiltration. We have previously shown that 50% of the neutrophil influx during immune complex peritonitis in mice is due to mast cells. Eicosanoids are important mediators of various inflammatory processes including neutrophil infiltration. The possibility that mast cells are essential for the production of leukotrienes (LT) involved in the elicitation of neutrophils in immune complex peritonitis was investigated in mast cell-deficient, WBB6F1-W/WV, and normal, WBB6F(1-)+/+, mice. The time course and amounts of immunoreactive PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and TX3B2 released into the peritoneal exudates were similar in both sets of mice. LTB4 and LTC4 levels, however, were twofold higher in +/+ than in W/WV mice 2 h after stimulation. HPLC analysis of the peritoneal exudate confirmed the presence of leukotrienes. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor A-63162 blocked leukotriene production in a dose-dependent manner in both sets of mice. However, this compound caused a significant reduction (60%) of neutrophil infiltration only in WBB6F(1-)+/+ but not in the mast cell-deficient mice. Mast cell reconstitution of WBB6F1-W/WV mice restored the effect of A-63162 on PMN recruitment. These data suggest that mast cells in the vicinity of blood vessels are important for the synthesis of leukotrienes responsible for PMN recruitment.

Topics: Acetamides; Animals; Antigen-Antibody Complex; Cell Movement; Complement System Proteins; Cytokines; Leukotrienes; Mast Cells; Mice; Neutrophils; Peritonitis; Phenyl Ethers; Thromboxane B2

The pathophysiology of renal dysfunction in generalized sepsis remains unknown. In this study, 24 hours after surgical induction of peritonitis in 20 volume-loaded sheep, three patterns of renal function were seen. In group 1 (n = 8), glomerular filtration rate (GFR) decreased by 70%, urine volume by 85%, absolute sodium excretion by 95%, and fractional sodium excretion by 83%. Group 2 (n = 4) exhibited similar sodium retention but GFR did not fall. Group 3 (n = 8) showed no change in GFR or urine volume and only minimally reduced sodium excretion. Mean arterial pressure fell 17% in group 1 only; central venous pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and plasma volume were maintained at or above presepsis values in all groups. Cardiac index was either increased or unchanged, and renal plasma flow was maintained in all groups; there was thus no hemodynamic evidence to suggest volume contraction. Histologic examination showed only minor changes with no consistent pattern. Renal functional changes correlated with other manifestations of severe sepsis--GFR and sodium retention correlated significantly with increased cardiac index, decreased systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary arterial hypertension, leukopenia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoglycemia. All of these changes were most marked in group 1. In groups 1 and 2, plasma renin activity (PRA) increased and urinary kallikrein excretion decreased. PRA correlated inversely with GFR, urine volume, and sodium excretion; urinary kallikrein excretion correlated positively with urine volume and sodium excretion. Urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was increased in groups 1 and 2 and correlated inversely with mean arterial pressure in group 1 animals. During sepsis, urinary thromboxane B2 excretion continued at presepsis values in all groups. The results suggest that unusual reciprocal changes in activity of the renin-angiotensin and renal kallikrein-kinin systems may play a role in the renal response to sepsis. PGI2 synthesis is increased and may affect systemic hemodynamics and renal function; the role of thromboxane A2 in this context is unknown.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Acute Kidney Injury; Animals; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Hemodynamics; Kallikreins; Kidney; Kinins; Natriuresis; Peritonitis; Prostaglandins; Renin; Renin-Angiotensin System; Sheep; Thromboxane B2

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bacterial Infections; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritonitis; Permeability; Prostaglandins; Proteins; Radioimmunoassay; Thromboxane B2

The loss of proteins into the dialysate and the peritoneal generation of the immunoreactive prostanoids PGE2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGF2 alpha, and TXB2 were studied in 12 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) during 16 episodes of peritonitis and in inflammation-free periods. Protein permeability, defined as the ratio of dialysate/plasma protein (D/P), decreased with increasing molecular weight, independent of the condition of the peritoneum. With peritonitis a general rise of permeability was noticed for total protein (TP) and the individual proteins beta 2-microglobulin (beta MG), albumin (Alb), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha MG) (P less than 0.001). Simultaneously, an increase of dialysate prostanoids occurred with predominance of the vasodilative acting prostaglandins PGI2, determined as its metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, and PGE2 by factors of 8.4 and 9.7, respectively (P less than 0.001), in comparison to peritonitis-free control. In the early phase of peritonitis (0 to 12 hr after the onset of therapy) the augumented peritoneal prostaglandin synthesis correlated positively with the increased permeability of TP (r greater than or equal to 0.7446, P less than 0.01) and the individual proteins beta MG, Alb, IgG, and alpha MG (r greater than or equal to 0.5970, P less than 0.05). Inhibition of cyclo-oxigenase activity by local administration of indomethacin inhibited both the generation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 by 39 and 42%, respectively (P less than 0.05), and the peritoneal loss of TP by 34% (P less than 0.05). In the absence of peritonitis indomethacin only diminished the synthesis of PGE2 whereas the generation of the other prostanoids remained unchanged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Adult; Aged; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Humans; Indomethacin; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritonitis; Permeability; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Proteins; Thromboxane B2

Sclerosing peritonitis is a severe complication after CAPD treatment. The visceral peritoneum is thickened and interenteric adhesive parts are found. Myofibroblasts are proliferated and the collageneous tissue is hyperplastic. The mean clinical symptom is the mechanical obstruction of the small bowel. We observed this illness in three out of sixty patients under CAPD. These patients had higher incidence of bacterial peritonitis. In the ascites high concentrations of PG E2 and Thromboxan B2 were observed. After treatment of the infection the concentrations fell down to normal values. Electronoptical observations from peritoneal biopsies showed a proliferation of myofibroblasts and extracellular lysosomes. It is known from these lysosomes that they are able to set free proteasis. These lead to degredation of fibrin and fibrinogen. These splits are mitogen to myofibroblasts. release from HIT cells could also be evoked by the sulphonylureas glibenclamide and tolbutamide and by an increase in concentration of extracellular K+ to 40 mmol/l. The content of cyclic AMP in HIT cells was increased modestly by glucose but not by an increase in extracellular K+. Forskolin elicited a 4-fold increase in cyclic AMP content. We conclude that HIT cells retain the essential features of the insulin secretory response of normal B cells and represent an important tool for further biochemical characterisation of the secretory system.

Topics: Adult; Bacterial Infections; Dinoprostone; Female; Fibrin; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction; Intestine, Small; Male; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritoneum; Peritonitis; Prostaglandins E; Sclerosis; Thromboxane B2

Peritoneal macrophages of renal patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) have been collected when CAPD was without complications, during an intercurrent infectious peritoneal inflammation and after recovery. Levels of cyclic AMP, release of cyclo-oxygenase metabolites, and responsiveness, in terms of cyclic AMP elevation, to either PGE2 or to DC-PGI2 (a stable analogue of PGI2) were examined. Peritoneal inflammation was associated with a sharp drop in cyclic AMP, which was restored after recovery. Production of TXA2, PGI2 and PGE2 parallelled the direction of changes in cyclic AMP levels, except, that release of PGE2 entirely failed to recover. Macrophages during the uncomplicated stage of CAPD proved more responsive to DC-PGI2 than to PGE2. During inflammation the cells displayed a marked increase in sensitivity towards PG stimulation. Improved sensitivity was more pronounced with PGE2 than with DC-PGI2 and so the original difference between responsiveness of the cells to the PGs was abolished. Several findings are compatible with the view that endogenous PGI2 governs the cyclic AMP levels in human non-inflammatory peritoneal macrophages. However, during infectious-inflammation the cells undergo changes which render a reduced production of PGI2 insufficient to explain the drop in cyclic AMP.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Adult; Aged; Cyclic AMP; Dinoprostone; Epoprostenol; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Macrophages; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritonitis; Prostaglandins E; Thromboxane B2

Acute, overwhelming sepsis or endotoxemia in experimental animals is associated with increased circulating levels of thromboxane (Tx)B2 (stable metabolite of TxA2) and 6-keto PGF1 alpha (stable metabolite of prostacyclin). The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the plasma prostanoid response to sepsis using an animal paradigm in which the septic process evolved more slowly than in previous similar studies. Bacterial peritonitis was induced in rats by cecal ligation (group B) or cecal ligation plus puncture with a 22-gauge needle (group C). Compared to sham-operated controls (group A), levels of immunoreactive 6-keto PGF1 alpha were significantly (p less than .05) elevated in group C rats at 6, 12, and 24 hr after surgery. At 48 hr after surgery, levels of this prostanoid were significantly (p less than .05) elevated in group B animals. In contrast, TxB2 levels were never significantly increased in septic (groups B and C) as compared to control (group A) rats. These data are consistent with results from several clinical studies and emphasize an important difference between the cecal ligation model and other experimental sepsis paradigms.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Animals; Cecum; Ligation; Male; Peritonitis; Radioimmunoassay; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sepsis; Thromboxane B2; Time Factors

Septic shock is associated with increased metabolism of arachidonic acid to thromboxane A2 (TxA2) and prostacyclin (PGI2). The effects of ibuprofen, methylprednisolone-sodium succinate, and gentamicin alone, or in combination on survival time and, TxA2 and PGI2 production in rats in a LD100 fecal peritonitis shock model were assessed. Plasma levels of TxA2 and PGI2 were measured by radioimmunoassay of their stable metabolites immunoreactive (i) TxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha, respectively. Drugs were given 30 min before induction of fecal peritonitis. Survival times in hours were as follows: fecal peritonitis = 10.5 +/- 0.4 (n = 50); ibuprofen (15 mg/kg) = 16.1 +/- 0.8 (n = 8); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) = 17.1 +/- 0.7 (n = 22); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) = 46.1 +/- 10.4 (n = 25) with 8% long-term survivors (survival greater than 7 days); gentamicin (4 mg/kg) = 23.8 +/- 4.4 (n = 16); methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) + ibuprofen = 20.3 +/- 1.8 (n = 6); gentamicin + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate = 31.0 +/- 1.6 (n = 11); gentamicin + ibuprofen = 28.5 + 2.3 (n = 12); gentamicin + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) + ibuprofen = 46.9 +/- 5.4 (n = 8). Treatment with the combination of gentamicin + ibuprofen + methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) resulted in a mean survival time of 116 +/- 13.9 h with 26% long-term survivors. Methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (40 mg/kg) reduced (P less than 0.05) plasma iTxB2 from 995 +/- 78 (n = 16) to 714 +/- 48 (n = 18) pg/ml and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha from 4,090 +/- 334 (n = 12) to 2,009 +/- 119 (n = 17) pg/ml, 4 h post-FP. Methylprednisolone-sodium succinate (80 mg/kg) produced no further decrease in either iTxB2 or i6-keto-PGF1 alpha. Ibuprofen reduced the fecal peritonitis-induced iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha synthesis to nondetectable levels (less than 200 pg/ml). The latter results demonstrate that methylprednisolone-sodium succinate is less effective than ibuprofen in inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism and suggest other salutary actions. These composite observations provide evidence that conjoint therapy with steroidal and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and antibiotics in septic shock may be beneficial.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Gentamicins; Ibuprofen; Indomethacin; Methylprednisolone; Peritonitis; Rats; Shock, Septic; Thromboxane B2

The peritoneal generation of arachidonic acid metabolites was studied in eight patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) during infection-free periods and during bacterial peritonitis. The prostacyclin metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was found to be the major prostanoid generated by human peritoneal mesothelium (1090 ng (6h)-1, SEM 86, n = 8) followed by lesser amounts of PGE2 (142 ng (6 h)-1, SEM 26, n = 8), PGF2 alpha (162 ng (6 h)-1, SEM 27, n = 8) and TXB2 (59 ng (6 h)-1, SEM 5, n = 8). During peritonitis a significant increase of all prostaglandins and TXB2 occurred (P less than 0.001). The ratio of the vasodilating prostaglandins and their metabolites (PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha) to the vasoconstrictors and their metabolites (PGF2 alpha and TXB2) increased from 6.6 to 10.5 during peritoneal inflammation. Augmented peritoneal clearances of creatinin and urea and increased losses of proteins during peritonitis as well as the enhanced peritoneal generation of prostanoids were reduced to basal values by adequate antibiotic therapy. The present results suggest that the increased peritoneal blood flow during peritonitis, probably responsible for the observed changes of peritoneal transport properties, may be induced by a change in the ratio of vasoactive prostaglandins generated by peritoneal mesothelial cells.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Adult; Aged; Dinoprost; Dinoprostone; Female; Humans; Kidney Failure, Chronic; Male; Middle Aged; Peritoneal Dialysis; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory; Peritonitis; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Thromboxane B2

We investigated the effects of the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor 7-(1-imidazolyl)heptanoic acid (7-IHA) and the fatty acid cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin or ibuprofen in the treatment of fecal peritonitis in the rat. The effects of gentamicin alone and in combination with reduction of arachidonic acid metabolism by either treatment with indomethacin or essential fatty acid deficiency was also investigated. 7-IHA (60 mg/kg), administered i.p. 30 min before i.p. instillation of a fecal suspension, significantly reduced the plasma levels of immunoreactive (i) TxB2 from 1066 +/- 194 pg/ml (N = 14) to nondetectable (less than 200 pg/ml; N = 9) (P less than .01) at 1 hr and from 1695 +/- 218 (N = 16) to 508 +/- 56 pg/ml (N = 6) (P less than .01) at 4 hr after instillation of feces. In contrast, the levels of i6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F1 alpha, the stable metabolite of prostacyclin, were significantly elevated by 7-IHA pretreatment from vehicle-treated septic control levels of 3777 +/- 414 (N = 16) to 5185 +/- 467 pg/ml (N = 9) (P less than .05) at 1 hr. Plasma i6-keto-PGF1 alpha at 4 hr in 7-IHA-treated rats (5503 +/- 665 pg/ml) (N = 6) was not different from vehicle-treated controls. Survival associated with fecal peritonitis was not altered by 7-IHA pretreatment. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) or ibuprofen (5 mg/kg) administered i.p. 30 min before the fecal suspension significantly decreased both iTxB2 and i6-keto-PGF1 alpha, plasma levels when measured at 4 hr and prolonged survival time (P less than .05). Fibrinogen/fibrin degradation products were elevated (P less than .01) during fecal peritonitis and were reduced by indomethacin (P less than .01) or 7-IHA (P less than .05). Gentamicin significantly increased mean survival time from 8.6 +/- 0.2 (N = 50) to 23.8 +/- 2.6 hr (N = 16) (P less than .01). Gentamicin in combination with indomethacin or essential fatty acid deficiency further improved mean survival time and resulted in long-term survivals (greater than 48 hr) of 35 (N = 17) and 30% (N = 7), respectively (P less than .01 compared with gentamicin). Gentamicin pretreatment did not significantly alter plasma iTxB2 levels, but decreased i6-keto-PGF1 alpha from 9465 +/- 792 (N = 7) to 3096 +/- 1,174 pg/ml (N = 5; P less than .01) at 6 hr after induction of fecal peritonitis. These studies raise the possibility that inhibition of fatty acid cyclooxygenase may be a useful adjunct to antibiotic therapy in the treatment of septic shock.

Topics: Animals; Epoprostenol; Fatty Acids, Essential; Female; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Gentamicins; Ibuprofen; Imidazoles; Indomethacin; Macrophages; Male; Peritonitis; Prostaglandins; Prostaglandins F; Rats; Shock, Septic; Thromboxane A2; Thromboxane B2; Thromboxanes