Gram-Negative Septicemia and Trace Element Alterations in Tissue and Plasma: Effects of Superoxide Dismutase and Allopurinol

Abstract

Alterations of trace element concentrations in plasma and liver tissues in four groups of animals were investigated: group A, septic animals treated with superoxide dismutase; group B, septic animals treated with allopurinol; group C, control septic animals without treatment, and group D, nonseptic control animals. Septicemia was achieved by intraperitoneal capsule placement of a mixture of <i>Escherichia coli </i>and <i>Bacteroides fragilis. </i>On the 3rd day after bacterial challenge, surviving animals were sacrified. The mortality rate during the first 3 days were group A, 78%, group B, 54%, group C, 63%, and group D, 0%. Plasma zinc decreased significantly in groups A and C, but was normal in group B. There was a significant decrease in liver zinc content in groups A, B, and C when compared with control, group D; similar changes occurred in liver copper content. Liver selenium content was significantly increased in group B. In conclusion, a dramatic depletion of zinc and copper was found in liver tissue and plasma during septicemia. However, animals treated with allopurinol showed significantly fewer changes. It was concluded that free radical formation could be an important factor during infection and that xanthine oxidase inhibitors have a protective effect, reflected in lower mortality rates.