EFFECT OF SEPSIS ON TISSUE ADENINE-NUCLEOTIDE LEVELS

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 85  (2) , 205-211
Abstract
Tissue adenine nucleotides were measured in rats to determine if there is depletion of energy stores associated with sepsis. Peritonitis was produced by cecal ligation and cecal puncture. At 16-24 h after ligation, rats which were lethargic but still normotensive (late sepsis) and showed clinical and laboratory confirmation of peritonitis-sepsis were stunned by a blow on the head and small pieces of tissue were removed and frozen. Adenine nucleotides were measured enzymatically. In late sepsis, ATP levels in liver and kidney decreased significantly; no significant decreases were observed in the diaphragm or gastrocnemius muscle. H polarograph measurements of hepatic blood flow indicated that flow was decreased markedly at this stage of peritonitis. A 2nd group of rats was prepared in the same manner, except they were studied 10 h after ligation (early sepsis). Most rats at this stage of sepsis appeared to be only mildly ill; blood cultures obtained from 6 rats so prepared all were positive. These rats did not show any decrease in hepatic blood flow or tissue adenine nucleotides. The changes in adenine nucleotides observed in late sepsis (low-flow septic rats) are similar to those seen during early hemorrhagic shock and suggest inadequate perfusion associated with peritonitis as the cause.