Skip to main content

Volume 2 Supplement 1

ESICM LIVES 2014

  • Poster presentation
  • Open access
  • Published:

0589. Pravastatin exerts opposite effects on splanchnic microcirculatory oxygenation during sham or septic conditions in an animal model of polymicrobial sepsis

Introduction

In addition to lipid-lowering effects HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors like pravastatin also modulate the microcirculation [1]. The exact mechanisms are yet unknown and results are heterogeneous, with both positive and negative effects on endothelial microvascular function [2, 3] being reported.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pravastatin on the microcirculatory oxygenation of the colon in a rodent model of polymicrobial sepsis.

Methods

The data derive from a total of 40 experiments on rats studied with approval of the local animal care and use committee. Pravastatin (0.2 mg/kg) or NaCl were injected subcutaneously 18 h prior to sepsis induction (colon ascendens stent peritonitis) or sham operation. 24 h after induction of sepsis the animals were re-laparotomized under general anaesthesia and received ongoing fluid replacement and pressure-limited ventilation for 120 min. Macrohemodynamic variables were recorded and microcirculatory oxygen supply (µDO2) and post-capillary oxygen saturation (µHbO2) of the colon were measured simultaneously via laser Doppler and tissue reflectance spectrophotometry, respectively. Data are presented as means±SD, 2-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett (vs. baseline) or Tukey (between groups).

Results

1.) In pravastatin pre-treated sham animals the microcirculatory oxygenation µHbO2 declined by 9.8±9.4% with no change in the NaCl group. Figure 1.

Figure 1
figure 1

Sham

2.) During sepsis pravastatin pre-treatment ameliorated the deterioration of µHbO2 (-5.5±8.2%), compared to a significant decrease in the NaCl group (-8.4±8.7%). Figure 2.

Figure 2
figure 2

Sepsis

3.) Macrohaemodynamic variables and microcirculatory oxygen supply of the colon did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

Pravastatin has opposite effects on splanchnic microcirculatory oxygenation depending on septic or non-septic conditions. These effects are independent of the macrocirculation or microcirculatory oxygen supply.

References

  1. McGown CC, Brookes ZL: Beneficial effects of statins on the microcirculation during sepsis: the role of nitric oxide. Br J Anaesth 2007, 98: 163–175. 10.1093/bja/ael358

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. La Mura V, Pasarin M, Meireles CZ, Miquel R, Rodriguez-Vilarrupla A, Hide D, Gracia-Sancho J, Garcia-Pagan JC, Bosch J, Abraldes JG: Effects of simvastatin administration on rodents with lipopolysaccharide-induced liver microvascular dysfunction. Hepatology 2013, 57: 1172–1181. 10.1002/hep.26127

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Tehrani S, Mobarrez F, Lins PE, Adamson U, Wallen HN, Jorneskog G: Impaired endothelium-dependent skin microvascular function during high-dose atorvastatin treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes & vascular disease research 2013, 10: 483–488. 10.1177/1479164113491275

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Beck, C., Barthel, F., Herminghaus, A. et al. 0589. Pravastatin exerts opposite effects on splanchnic microcirculatory oxygenation during sham or septic conditions in an animal model of polymicrobial sepsis. ICMx 2 (Suppl 1), P34 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425X-2-S1-P34

Download citation

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2197-425X-2-S1-P34

Keywords