Changes in expression of adiponectin in septic rats

Objective To investigate changes in adiponectin expression in septic rats and to observe the relationship between adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Methods Sepsis model of rats was replicated by intravenous administration of LPS into the tail vein.Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups,respectively the normal control (n=24) group,and the LPS (n=24) group.At 4 hours and 24 hours after administration of LPS or NS,rats were sacrificed by heart phlebotomy.Epididymal adipose tissue were sampled.The expression of adiponectin mRNA and TNF-α mRNA in the adipose tissue were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with GAPDH as an internal standard.The levels of adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in plasma were determined by enzyme linked immunoadsorbent assay(ELISA).Results Adiponectin mRNA and TNF-α mRNA were slightly expressed in adipose tissue of rats in normal control group.The expression of TNF-α mRNA and levels of TNF-α in plasma were increased until 24 hours after administration of LPS,peaking first at 4 hours.The adiponectin mRNA was decreased at 24 hours.The levels of adiponectin was decreased at 4 hours and last to 24 hours.Conclusions These data indicate that there is a marked decline in the adiponectin level both in plasma and epididymal adipose tissue,which corresponds to an increase of the levels of TNF-α.Adiponectin plays a role in the uncontrolled inflammatory reaction.