Abstract
Oxygen-derived free radicals have been shown to play a role in many forms of cell injury. A role for free radicals has recently been demonstrated in the mortality of a rat/sepsis model. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pretreatment in a mouse endotoxin model with superoxide dismutase (SOD), and acetylcysteine (Mucomyst, MM), a clinically available free radical scavenger.
Methods. Forty-eight mice were divided into three equal groups. Each group received pretreatment 2 hours prior to endotoxin challenge. Pretreatment consisted of a 0.5 ml intra-peritoneal injection of saline, SOD (20,000 units/kg), or MM (140 mg/kg). Endotoxin (0.1 meg E. Coli 0111:84) was then injected intraperitoneally according to protocol developed in this lab and previously described. The mice were checked every 12 hours for survival.
Results. Increased survival was seen in the SOD treated group compared to controls, with cumulative mortalities of 38 vs. 81%, 44 vs. 88%, and 75 vs. 100% at 12, 24 and 72 hours respectively. These differences were all statistically significant. Increased survival was also seen early in the MM group, but this difference failed to achieve statistical significance.
Conclusions: 1) Free radicals play a role in endotoxin mortality, and 2) free radical scavengers increase survival.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Broner, C., Shenep, J., Stidham, G. et al. EFFECT OF OXYGEN-DERIVED FREE RADICAL SCAVENGERS ON MORTALITY IN ENDOTOXIN-CHALLENGED NICE. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 198 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00189
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00189