Background and aim
Sepsis, a complex and rapidly progressing infectious disease with high levels of mortality, is widely regarded as the most challenging problem in intensive care. The lung is frequently the first failing organ during septic conditions. Although the etiology of sepsis is multifactorial, early release of proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage are probably most important factors that lead to cell damage, organ dysfunction, and death. This study aimed to determine the effects of treatment with octreotide (OCT), on plasma activities of IL-6 and tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in an experimental model of sepsis.
Sepsis was induced in female Sprague–Dawley rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) as previously described. Group 1 (n = 10), sham operated animals; Group 2 (n = 10), sepsis served as control; Group 3 (n = 10) and Group 4 (n = 10), respectively, OCT 50 μg/kg twice a day and OCT 100 μg/kg twice a day administered subcutaneously immediately after the induction of sepsis and at 12 hours. Rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the surgical procedure. Blood and lung tissue samples were taken 24 hours after sepsis induction. Plasma activities of IL-6 and lung tissue levels of MDA were measured.
The results showed that the plasma levels of IL-6, an inflammatory indicator, and tissue levels of MDA, an oxidative indicator, are significantly increased during experimental model of sepsis (P < 0.05). Increase in MDA levels and IL-6 activities after CLP-induced sepsis was significantly prevented by OCT (100 μg/kg, s.c.) administration (P < 0.05).
Octreotide seems to have a dose-dependent antioxidative and immunomodulator effect in CLP-induced sepsis in rats. Further trials are necessary to reveal the therapeutic effect of OCT in sepsis. On the other hand, further studies should be performed aiming to reveal the optimal OCT doses. As a drug with a wide margin of safety and less adverse reaction profile, OCT merits consideration as a choice of treatment in sepsis and septic shock.