Nebulized nitric oxide/nucleophile adduct reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in mechanically ventilated septicemic sheep.

Objective: To study the effects of a novel, intermittently administered, aerosolized nitric oxide donor, methyl-N-2-dimethylaminoethyl-3-aminoproprionid/nitric oxide (DMDE-NO), on pulmonary hemodynamic responses to sepsis.

Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled study in awake sheep.

Setting: Investigational intensive care unit of a university medical center.

Diminished bacterial clearance is associated with decreased IL-12 and interferon-gamma production but a sustained proinflammatory response in a murine model of postseptic immunosuppression.

After a major illness or injury, immune status in critically ill patients may fluctuate between a marked proinflammatory response and an immunosuppressed state. Postinflammatory immunosuppression can result in increased susceptibility to infection. Alterations of cytokine production, such as suppression of IFNgamma and elevation of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, are believed to contribute to postinflammatory immunosuppression.

Cepharanthin, an alkaloid from Stephania cepharantha, inhibits increased pulmonary vascular permeability in an ovine model of sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening event when it occurs in patients suffering from smoke inhalation injury. Pneumonia is one of the most frequent sources of infection in sepsis. Activated leukocytes likely play a role in the pathogenesis of sepsis.

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase by 7-nitroindazole attenuates acute lung injury in an ovine model.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to play a major role in acute lung injury (ALI) after smoke inhalation. In the present study, we developed an ovine sepsis model, created by exposing sheep to smoke inhalation followed by instillation of bacteria into the airway, that mimics human sepsis and pneumonia. We hypothesized that the inhibition of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) might be beneficial in treating ALI associated with this model.

Recombinant antithrombin attenuates pulmonary inflammation following smoke inhalation and pneumonia in sheep.

Objective: The interaction between coagulation and inflammation has become one of the major topics in critical care medicine. In the present study, we investigated the effect of posttreatment of sepsis with recombinant human antithrombin.

Design: Experimental laboratory in a university hospital.

Heparin nebulization attenuates acute lung injury in sepsis following smoke inhalation in sheep.

Pseudomonas pneumonia is a common complication of smoke inhalation injury. Airway casts formed from clotted mucous occur frequently in this condition. A recent report shows that intravenous heparin improves oxygenation and reduces lung damage in a sheep model of smoke inhalation.

A novel animal model of sepsis after acute lung injury in sheep.

Objective: Patients with acute lung injury after smoke inhalation often develop pneumonia subsequently complicated by sepsis. This often is a fatal complication. The aim of this study was to develop a standardized and reproducible model of hyperdynamic sepsis after smoke inhalation in sheep.