Journal of molecular medicine : official organ of the "Gesellschaft Deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte"
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Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) when an infection is the etiology of SIRS. Our previous studies have indicated that the release of the sympathetic neurotransmitter, norepinephrine (NE), from the gut is increased in sepsis, and that NE potentiates endotoxin-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha upregulation via the A subtype of alpha(2)-adrenoceptors (i.e., alpha(2A)-AR) expressed on the surface of Kupffer cells. A specific antagonist for alpha(2A)-AR, 2-[(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl) methyl]-2,3-dihydro-1-methyl-1H-isoindole maleate (BRL-44408 maleate), reduces TNF-alpha secretion in cultured Kupffer cells. ⋯ However, it has no statistical effects on the elevated serum levels of IL-10. Moreover, BRL-44408 maleate at the doses of 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg BW significantly increased the survival rate after CLP and cecal excision. In conclusion, modulation of the sympathetic nervous system by blocking alpha(2A)-AR appears to be a novel treatment for inflammatory conditions such as sepsis.