Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor improves survival rate and reduces concentrations of bacteria, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor, and endothelin-1 in fulminant intra-abdominal sepsis in rats

Abstract

To study the therapeutic effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on the mortality rate and host defense pattern in fulminant intra-abdominal sepsis. Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Research laboratory in a university hospital. Adult male Wistar rats. Fulminant polymicrobial intra-abdominal sepsis was induced by a 4-mm cecal perforation. Survival experiments were performed with two different doses of G-CSF (20 and 100 microg/kg/24 hrs), and therapy was started 7 days or 1 day before, or 4 hrs after sepsis induction (n = 24). To examine alterations in host response pattern, G-CSF (20 microg/kg/24 hrs) was given at sepsis induction, and rats were killed 4, 8, 12 and 24 hrs later (n = 8-16 per time period). Histologic examination of lung, liver, spleen, and kidney was performed, and blood concentrations of bacteria, endotoxin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), endothelin-1, packed cell volume, and lactate were determined. G-CSF (20 microg/kg/24 hrs), given 4 hrs after sepsis induction, reduced the mortality rate from 96% to 42%. Increasing the dose (100 micrograms/kg/24 hrs), or giving G-CSF as prophylaxis (starting 7 days or 1 day before sepsis), gave no further protection. G-CSF attenuated the sepsis-induced enhancement of circulating bacteria, endotoxin, TNF, and endothelin-1, resulting in improved fluid balance and reduced lactate concentration. No histopathologic alterations were observed after G-CSF treatment. G-CSF improves host defense and survival rate in experimentally induced fulminant intra-abdominal sepsis. Clearance of bacteria and endotoxin is improved, concentrations of TNF and endothelin-1 are suppressed, and microvascular flow is improved. G-CSF does not induce neutrophil-mediated tissue damage.