Pulmonary kinetic expression of the endothelin system in a swine model of endotoxic shock

Abstract

Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide involved in the derangement of respiratory mechanics during endotoxic shock. We measured the kinetics of pulmonary mRNA expression of the key components of the ET system [i.e., ET-1, ET-converting enzyme (ECE), and ETA and ETB receptors] by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in a swine model of endotoxic shock (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h of continuous LPS infusion at 40 microg/kg/hour; sham group, 4 hour saline infusion). A significant increase in mRNA expression levels was observed for ET-1 in LPS-treated piglets; the increase began as early as 1 hour. In contrast, no significant variations were observed for the ECE, ETA, or ETB genes. Small gene expression differences observed with respect to our previous results suggest a possible effect of the anesthesia or surgical protocol on ET system regulation.

Biomarkers of sepsis in pigs, horses and cattle: from acute phase proteins to procalcitonin

“…In animals, an increase in lactate was reported after the experimental induction of sepsis in pigs, and this marker was correlated with a higher mortality rates in horses with SIRS (Corley et al ., 2010; Tóth et al ., 2017). Regarding ET-1, higher plasma concentrations and mRNA levels in tissues were observed after the experimental induction of sepsis in pigs (Zannoni et al ., 2010). Markers of the coagulation system.…”