Vancomycin and to lesser extent tobramycin have vasomodulatory effects in experimental endotoxemia in the rat.

Background: Antibiotic treatment represents a key component of therapy for severe sepsis. Apart from their antimicrobial efficacy, when choosing antibiotics in septic conditions, vasomodulatory effects should also be taken into account.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate the vasomodulatory effects of vancomycin (VANCO) and tobramycin (TOBRA) in experimental endotoxemia by using intravital microscopy (IVM) of the intestinal microcirculation and measurements of the arterial contractility in vitro.