The effects of plasma and albumin infusion on organ function and sepsis markers in experimental gram-negative sepsis

Abstract

To study the effects of early plasma versus albumin infusion on vital organ function and the appearance of central sepsis mediators in septic shock, three groups of anesthetized piglets (n = 28) were inoculated with live Eschericia coli. Group I received fresh frozen plasma, group II received albumin, whereas group III served as nontreated septic controls. Plasma-treated animals exhibited improved survival (p < .02) compared with controls, and improved organ function compared with both controls and albumin-treated animals. Plasma infusion was associated with increased levels of endotoxin (p < .02) and terminal complement complex (TCC) (p < .03), and persisting high levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Following albumin infusion TNF levels decreased to baseline values (p < .01), whereas endotoxin and TCC levels did not change significantly. Our study shows a beneficial effect of early plasma infusion on survival and vital organ function in septic animals. The effect of plasma infusion on circulating levels of endotoxin, TNF, and TCC may be potentially deleterious in uncompensated stages of septic shock.