The rat in sepsis and endotoxic shock

Abstract

Compared to the experimental studies, interpretation of eicosanoid levels in human sepsis is complicated by a large number of uncontrolled variables. Further clinical studies are needed to establish the relationship between the septic rat model and the human septic condition. The rat model is useful for uncovering fundamental pathophysiologic processes and should be useful in developing therapeutic interventions in human circulatory shock. Studies on the rat model offered the first indication that eicosanoids were involved in the shock syndrome (Cook et al., 1980). This led to clinical trials to determine the role of these mediators in human sepsis (Reines et al. 1982). The rat affords a model system which allows for pharmacologic manipulation and testing of a large number of hypotheses in a practical and cost effective manner. The recent evidence that leukotrienes are released during circulatory shock in the rat and that attenuation of this release alters the pathophysiologic outcome (Ball et al., 1986), lays the groundwork for future clinical studies. Finding that eicosanoids and leukotrienes are elevated in rat models of adult respiratory distress syndrome (Hammarstrom, 1983) has opened further new areas of clinical inquiry. Although rat models involving bolus endotoxin administration have not been predictive of the human septic syndrome, they have proven useful in the determination of the cellular sources and mechanisms of eicosanoid and leukotriene action. From the evidence presented, the septic shock rat model would seem to be the best model in predicting the outcome of therapies in human sepsis. Limited clinical trials have assessed the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacologic agents which alter eicosanoid and leukotriene metabolism in sepsis. In view of the continued high mortality of patients with septic shock and the failure of conventional therapies (Sprung et al., 1984; DuToit et al. 1985), further clinical and experimental studies are desirable.