The Effect Of Erythropoietin On Sepsis And Lung Injury

Erythropoietin (EPO) has been shown to activate an anti-apoptotic signaling pathway and modulate inflammatory response. In this pilot study we investigated whether EPO provides protection against inflammation and cellular apoptosis in a lung-sepsis model. Rats receiving i.p. injections of either EPO (5000 units/kg) or normal saline underwent i.p. injections of LPS at 20 mg/kg doses one hour later. Blood samples were collected (3 hours, 6 hours post LPS) for TNF measurement. Lung samples were examined for inflammatory cell infiltration (H and E staining) (0 = normal, 4 = severe) and immunostained for cleaved caspase-3 (CC-3). Plasma TNF levels were elevated in both groups at 3 and 6 hours compared to sham group. TNF levels in EPO+LPS group were significantly lower at 3 hours compared to LPS group. At 6 hours TNF levels were not significantly different but still above baseline. Lung infiltrates and cleaved caspase-3 levels in experimental groups were more severe and significantly elevated compared to sham, but were not significantly different. Although the inflammatory cytokine TNF was significantly attenuated at hour 3, EPO did not provide significant protection against lung infiltrate or apoptotic death at this short study time. Funded by the Department of Anesthesiology, SUNY Upstate Medical University. * represents level of significance, p<0.05