Protective effect of C-reactive protein against the lethality induced by Vibrio vulnificus lipopolysaccharide

Vibrio vulnificus infection has attracted special interest because of its h igh mortality. A strong clinical association exists between hepatic dysfunc tion and increased morbidity and mortality from V. vulnificus infection. In this study, the effect of C-reactive protein (CRP), a typical hepatogenic acute phase protein, on the lethality induced by V. vulnificus lipopolysacc haride (LPS) was investigated in galactosamine-sensitized mice. The pretrea tment of CRP, in a dose of at least 2 mg/kg, 2 hr before the challenge of L PS completely protected mice against the lethality by V. vulnificus LPS, Th e elevation of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) induced by LPS administration was not affected by CRP pretreatment, However, the LPS- or TNF-alpha-induced hepatotoxicity was completely prevented by CRP, These res ults indicate that CRP does not prevent the synthesis, but prevents the hep atotoxic action of TNF-alpha. The possibility that impaired production of a cute phase proteins in patients with pre-existing hepatic dysfunction may p redispose the higher risk of V. vulnificus infection needs to be evaluated further.