The effects of lazaroid U-74389G in a rat sepsis model

Objective and design: To examine the protective effects of a lazaroid, 21-aminosteroid U-74389G, in a rat septic shock model. Materials or subjects: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60) aged 6-8 months. Treatment: Groups were exposed to 500 cGy radiation followed by E. coli inoculation, and either placebo or lazaroid injection (10 mg/kg intraperitoneal) 5 days after irradiation. Methods: Hemodynamic measurements, arterial blood gases, serum lactate, total antioxidative capacity, and cytokine levels were measured at specific time intervals. Results: Treatment with the lazaroid U-74389G maintained cardiac output and mean aortic pressure. Lazaroid treatment also prevented the increase in serum lactate seen in placebo-treated rats. Cytokine serum levels in lazaroid-treated rats were not significantly different from those in placebo-treated rats at any time point. Conclusions: Lazaroid treatment of E. coli-inoculated septic animals lessens the hemodynamic deterioration seen in sepsis.