EFFECTS OF RHG-CSF ON NEUTROPHIL FUNCTIONS AND SURVIVAL IN SEPSIS-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Diabetic patients are more prone to infection and evidence for an immu nologic defect superimposed upon the metabolic abnormalities of diabet es is convincing. Neutrophils play a critical role in the host defense mechanism against various bacterial infections, and it is suggested t hat impaired neutrophil functions cause susceptibility to infections i n diabetic patients. To explore the possibility that Granulocyte colon y-stimulating factor (G-CSF) may be useful to prevent the morbidity an d mortality caused by infections in diabetics. We studied the effect o f G-CSF against septicemia in diabetic rats. Forty eight rats were div ided into seven equal groups. The IInd. IVth-VIIth groups were made di abetic by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Fourth,V Ith and VIIth groups were made septicemic by cecal ligation and perfor ation at the end of the second week of streptozotocin injection. G-CSF was subcutaneously injected into IIIrd, V-th and VIth groups. White b lood cell count, neutrophil counts and function were determined. Rats in all groups were also observed for seven days for survival. White bl ood cells, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts and the neutrophil phagocy tosis index decreased but neutrophil adherence rate was not different in diabetic group II (p<0.05). All these variables were significantly diminished in diabetes and sepsis-induced group IV (p<0.05). G-CSF inj ections improved all variables except neutrophil adherence. Cumulative survival ratio was better in G-CSF-injected group VI than in ceftriax on-administrated group VII (p<0.05). In conclusion, G-CSF increased ne utrophil counts, developed neutrophil functions and improved survival. These results suggest that G-CSF may be useful as a drug to prevent b acterial infection in diabetic patients.