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Cytochrome C is not released in the heart during sepsis-induced myocardial depression

Introduction

Sepsis is often accompanied by myocardial depression; one of the possible mechanisms includes mitochondrial injury. We hypothesized that opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) may occur during sepsis-induced myocardial depression. We investigated the opening of the mPTP in septic hearts by measuring cytochrome C release into the cytosol.

Methods

Sepsis was induced in rats by 7.5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide injection intraperitoneally. After 4 hours, hearts were excised and mounted in a Langendorff setup to study myocardial contractility ex vivo. Subsequently, hearts were frozen and 5 μm cryostat sections were made. Sections were stained for cytochrome C using immunohistochemistry. Healthy rats served as controls.

Results

Septic animals showed a decreased contractility (P < 0.005) and lower developed pressure (P < 0.001) when compared with healthy controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed no release of cytochrome C in healthy or septic hearts.

Conclusion

Cytochrome C is not released during sepsis-induced myocardial depression. These results indicate that the mitochondrial permeability pore may not be involved in the development of myocardial dysfunction during sepsis.

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Smeding, L., Van Veelen, T., Laarse, W.V.d. et al. Cytochrome C is not released in the heart during sepsis-induced myocardial depression. Crit Care 13 (Suppl 1), P369 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7533

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc7533

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