Abstract
Purpose To investigate the protective effect of citrulline (Cit) on the hearts of rats with sepsis. Methods Wistar rats were divided into the normal, sham-operated, CLP, Cit, and CLP+Cit groups. Routine blood tests were performed, and the blood biochemical indexes were measured. Pathological changes in the cardiac tissues were observed. The levels of NO and iNOS in blood and SOD activity and MDA levels in the heart were measured. Results Less inflammatory cell infiltration of the myocardial fibers and significantly decreased white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil percentage, CK, HBDH, and NO (all P<0.05) were detected in the CLP+Cit group compared with the CLP group. In addition, SOD activity and MDA levels in heart tissues were, respectively, higher and lower in the CLP+Cit group than in the CLP group (both P<0.05). Conclusions Cit reduces pathological damage in the heart and enhances the heart's antioxidant capacity, thereby protecting cardiomyocytes.
Highlights
Sepsis may progress to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis, septic shock, and multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), which has been defined as SIRS caused by previous infection and trauma [1]
We found that the survival rate of the 24-h cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)+Cit subgroup (66.67%) was significantly higher than that of the 24-h CLP subgroup (33.33%) (P=0.042)
At the 6-h and 12-h postoperative time points, the survival rates were higher in the CLP+Cit group than in the CLP group; the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05)
Summary
Sepsis may progress to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), severe sepsis, septic shock, and multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), which has been defined as SIRS caused by previous infection and trauma [1]. In 2015, the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) redefined sepsis as organ dysfunction and complications caused by uncontrolled inflammation. A Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score ≥2 indicates sepsis. Septic shock is defined as a specific type of sepsis, and the risk of death from septic shock is significantly higher than that from simple sepsis [2]. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, and sepsis are the three most common fatal diseases in the United States [3]. With the aging of the population and increases in cancer incidence and invasive medical treatments, the incidence of sepsis is gradually increasing
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