Introduction
The pathogenesis of sepsis and multiple organ failure has been associated with bacterial translocation (BT). In a previous study we observed intestinal and systemic tissue hypoperfusion 2 hours after a BT process. In this study we examined the perfusion kinetics a longer period after one unique challenge of BT.
Materials and methods
Adult female Wistar rats (± 200 g) were submitted to the induction of 2 hours of BT (E. coli R6 1010 CFU/ml, 5 ml/100 g weight by oroduodenal catheterization). Sham groups received saline. The tissue perfusion (jejunum, ileum, liver and right and left kidneys) was monitored before BT and 2, 6, 24 and 72 hours, 7 and 14 days after BT (n = 6/group).
Results and discussion
The tissue perfusions in BT groups were statistically decreased at 2 and 24 hours in all organs, returning to normal levels after 72 hours up to 14 days compared with sham groups, except the ileum that remained with a high perfusion index after 72 hours onward. Interestingly, in the 6 hours BT group a transitory increased perfusion occurred in all organs, being significant at gut tissues, denoting that at this time point transient inflammatory-response-dependent vasodilatation might have occurred (Figure 1). The BT-related hypoperfusion effect seems to be related to a BT-induced host inflammatory response.
Figure 1.
Mean tissue perfusion units (Δ%) of sham and BT groups.
Conclusion
Single BT challenge provoked significant and enduring local and systemic tissue hypoperfusion. These findings can support the hypothesis of BT-related sepsis aggravation.