[A small dose of intraperitoneal injection of zymosan induces systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction following gut ischemia-reperfusion injury].

Objective: To investigate the effects of a small dose of intraperitoneal injection of zymosan following gut ischemia-reperfusion injury on systemic inflammatory response and distant organ function.

Methods: Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: gut ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-R) alone, intraperitoneal injection of zymosan (Z) alone, and gut ischemia-reperfusion followed by intraperitoneal injection of zymosan (M). Gut (I-R) was produced by occluding superior mesenteric artery for 60 minutes followed by gut reperfusion. A small dose(125 mg/kg) of zymosan was given intraperitoneally at 12 hours after recovery of gut blood flow.

Results: Systemic inflammatory responses were found in all rats of three groups. The plasma level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and activities of myeloperoxidase in lungs and intestines were significantly higher in animals in M group compared with those in I-R and Z groups. The incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) and mortality rate at 72 hours postinjury in two-hits group were significantly higher than those in I-R and Z group.

Conclusion: A small dose of intraperitoneal injection of zymosan could induce systemic inflammatory response and multiple organ dysfunction more readily when there is a precedent gut ischemia-reperfusion injury.