Objective: This study was performed to investigate gut-derived bacterial translocation and the time course of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) appearance, both in portal and systemic circulation.
Summary background data: The significance of intestinal bacteria/endotoxin translocation or TNF formation in the development of systemic sepsis has been disputed.
Methods: A rat model of hemorrhagic shock (30-35 mm Hg for 90 min) and resuscitation was used.
Results: Bacterial translocation was histologically observed in the small intestinal wall 30 minutes after resuscitation. A significant increase in LPS concentrations was found in the portal vein (91.7 +/- 30.6 pg/mL) at 90 minutes, which remained steady until 150 minutes after shock. Lipopolysaccharide increased in the systemic circulation, the levels became significant at 120 minutes, and peaked (66.5 +/- 39.2 pg/mL) 150 minutes after shock. Tumor necrosis factor concentrations were found to be significantly elevated in both portal and systemic circulation (75.6 +/- 22.1 vs. 58.4 +/- 14.1 pg/mL) at 90 minutes post-shock. Although there was no further increase in TNF concentration in the portal blood. TNF peaked (83.5 +/- 17.7 pg/mL) in systemic circulation at 120 minutes and still was markedly increased at 150 minutes post-shock. In addition, higher LPS and TNF concentrations in systemic circulation were found in the nonsurvivors than in the surviving animals at the end of resuscitation.
Conclusions: These results suggest that hemorrhagic shock may lead to early bacterial translocation in the intestinal wall and transient access of gut-derived LPS and LPS-induced mediators into the circulation predominantly via the portal circulation.