PERITONEAL-LAVAGE REDUCES LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED ELEVATION OF SERUM TNF-ALPHA AND IL-6 AND MORTALITY IN MICE

The contribution of peritoneal cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induc ed elevation of serum TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels and mortality has been studied. Peritoneal lavage performed before LPS administration reduce d serum cytokine levels by approximately 50% and mortality from 50 to 100%. The effect of peritoneal lavage is due to the removal of periton eal cells as reinjection of peritoneal cells eliminated the protective effect of lavage on LPS-induced mortality. A special role of peritone al macrophages in the systemic response to LPS was suggested by the fi nding that LPS-induced an increase in intracellular TNF-alpha and IL-6 in peritoneal macrophages but in neither splenic nor bone marrow macr ophages. Intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate broth 4 days prio r to lavage increased the number of peritoneal cells removed by lavage and increased protection from LPS mortality. Peritoneal lavage perfor med 30 to 120 minutes after the LPS administration completely protecte d all mice from LPS-induced mortality, suggesting the possibility that such treatment may offer a novel therapeutic approach to septic shock .