Effect of CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the systemic and peritoneal cytokine response in a LPS-induced sepsis model

We studied the effect of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum on the syste mic and peritoneal cytokine response in a rat model of intraperitoneal seps is. After intraperitoneal injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 0 mg/kg), rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 49 in each group): control ( abdominal puncture); COP pneumoperitoneum, and laparotomy. Blood and perito neal lavage fluid (PLF) were sampled at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h after LPS challenge. Blood cell counts, plasma endotoxin level, and the levels of tu mor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the plasma and PLF were measured. Blood cell counts did not differ between the 3 groups. Plasma endotoxin levels in the pneumo peritoneum group were significantly increased immediately after the procedu re (p < 0.05). Although peak plasma TNF-alpha levels in the pneumoperitoneu m group were seen immediately after the procedure, other changes in plasma cytokine levels did not differ significantly between the 3 groups. PLF TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta levels in the pneumoperitoneum group were significantly lower than levels in the control and laparotomy groups soon after the proc edure (p < 0.05). PLF IL-6 levels in the pneumoperitoneum group tended to b e lower than those in the laparotomy group. In conclusion, CO2 pneumoperito neum might induce different responses between systemic and peritoneal cytok ines soon after the procedure in a rat model of intraperitoneal sepsis. Cop yright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.