The contribution to studies of the effect of β-glucan on plasma viscosity in a rat sepsis model

Abstract

Objective: Sepsis is a complex pathophysiological process that involves both alterations in the microcirculation and changes in the biochemical and physiological characteristics of the blood constituents and hyperdynamic syndrome characterized by maldistribution of blood flow. Plasma viscosity is a major determinant of capillary blood flow through the microcirculation. β-glucan is accepted to be one of the most powerful immune response modifiers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective effect of β-glucan on the levels of plasma viscosity and malondialdehyde (MDA), after rats was exposed to sepsis. Methods: Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in 14 male Wistar albino rat. To evaluate this, rats were divided into four groups as sham operated, β-glucan treated sham operated, CLP and β-glucan treated CLP. Sixteen hours after operation, rats were decapitated and MDA, plasma viscosity levels were measured. Results: Plasma viscosity represented, 1.30±0.12 mPa.s in CLP group and 1.35±0.09 mPa.s in CLP+β-glucan group. In the CLP group, MDA levels were found to be higher than in control group. When CLP group compared with CLP+β-glucan group, no significant statistical differences were observed in the levels of plasma viscosity and MDA. Conclusion: Our results seem that the given dose of β-glucan was probably insufficient to prevent sepsis induced plasma viscosity.