Shock : molecular, cellular, and systemic pathobiological aspects and therapeutic approaches : the official journal the Shock Society, the European Shock Society, the Brazilian Shock Society, the International Federation of Shock Societies
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This study assessed the hepatic acute phase response and cellular Ca2+ regulation in septic animals and in hepatoma cell lines in vitro. Sepsis was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by implanting in their abdominal cavities fecal pellets impregnated with live Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis. 8 h after implantations, rats were treated with diltiazem (1.2 mg/kg) or superoxide dismutase (SOD) (5 x 10(3) units/kg). After 24 h, plasma acute phase proteins (APP) were determined by immunoelectrophoresis, and hepatic APP-mRNAs by Northern blot hybridization. ⋯ Because diltiazem was previously shown to prevent sepsis-related disturbances in hepatic cellular Ca2+ regulation, its mediation of decrease in APP, systemic/metabolic response, and mortality may be effected through modifications in cellular Ca2+ regulation. The data from hepatoma cells show an attenuation of the AAP can result from direct effects of a calcium blocker. However, whether the blocker primarily modifies cellular Ca2+ regulation and secondarily effects APP gene expression, or directly effects gene expression remains unknown.