ENDOTOXIN INHIBITOR PREVENTS SEPSIS-INDUCED ALTERATIONS IN INTESTINALION-TRANSPORT

BACKGROUND: The intestine is a target of septic insult. The aims of th is study were to characterize sepsis-induced alterations in intestinal ion transport and to determine the role endotoxin plays in mediating these changes. METHODS: Rats underwent cecal manipulation alone (contr ol), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), or CLP plus intraperitoneal in jection of 0.2 mg of a recently synthesized endotoxin inhibitor. At 24 hours, distal ileum was harvested, and transport parameters were dete rmined. RESULTS: Cecal ligation and puncture produced a significant in crease in short-circuit current (I-SC) that was attributable to the in duction of chloride secretion. There were no alterations in transepith elial resistance or fluxes of mannitol and sodium. The sepsis-induced increase in I-SC was prevented by administration of the endotoxin inhi bitor. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of sepsis, the primary alteration in ileal ion transport is an induction of electrogenic chloride secretio n. Endotoxin inhibition may represent a strategy for prophylaxis again st the intestinal effects of sepsis.