[The effect of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein on lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 mRNA expression in rats after thermal injury].

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying beneficial effect of recombinant bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (rBPI) on multiple organ damage secondary to major burns.

METHODS

Wistar rats were subjected to a 35% full-thickness scald injury, and randomly divided into 3 groups: normal controls (n = 8), thermal injury (n = 21), and rBPI21 treatment (n = 12). In thermal injury and rBPI21 treatment groups, animals were sacrificed at 12 and 24 hours after burn, respectively. Tissue samples from liver, kidneys, lungs and intestine were collected to measure lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP)/lipopolysaccharide receptor CD14 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mRNA expression. In addition, blood samples were obtained for measurement of organ function parameters.

RESULTS

Treatment with rBPI21 could significantly decrease tissue LBP and CD14 mRNA expression in various organs (P < 0.05-0.01). Also, TNF-alpha mRNA expression in liver, kidneys and lungs were markedly inhibited by rBPI21 secondary to acute insults (P < 0.05-0.01). Moreover, in the rBPI21 treatment group, significant reduction in serum GPT levels and elevation in intestinal DAO activities were found compared to those in the thermal injury group (P < 0.05-0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with rBPI21 is effective in attenuating multiple organ damage resulted from gut origin endotoxin translocation after thermal injury, which might be associated with down-regulation effect of tissue LBP and CD14 gene expression by use of rBPI21.