Cortisol lead to increment of TNF-α release in septic rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of cortisol on the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in sepsis in rats with cecal ligation performation (CLP) model and its clinic significance. METHODS: 58 SD rats were divided into 5 groups. Rats in Group A and C were performed with CLP model and injected with hydrocortisone at 12h intervals. Rats in group B and D were performed with CLP model and injected with normal saline at 12h intervals. Those in group E (the control group) were performed with laparotomy without CLP and were injected with NS at the same time points. Animals were killed at different points(group C D at 24 h, and group A, B E at 48 h) after CLP or sham laparotomy. Samples of blood and ascitic fluid were collected for measurements of TNF-α,IL-6 and cortisol. RESULTS: 1.The cortisol level in group A was significantly higher than that in group C ( P 0.01).The cortisol level in plasma of group B,D and E was undetectable. 2.The average level of TNF-α in plasma in group A was significantly higher than that in group B,C,D and E( P 0.05). TNF-α in ascitic fluid was detectable in all groups and that in group A,B,C and D was significantly higher than that in group E ( P 0.05).TNF-α and IL-6 levels in ascitic fluid were significant higher than that in plasma in all groups ( P 0.01). 3. No significant differences in IL-6 level were found in plasma and ascitic fluid between A,B,C ,D and E groups ( P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment to septic rats with cortisol made a significant increase of TNF-α level in plasma. Animals with elevated TNF-α level had a higher rate of death.