Indomethacin improves survival in gram-negative sepsis.

A clinically relevant rat model of peritoneal sepsis was developed through the use of (a) intraperitoneal insertion of rat fecal pellets or (b) live E. coli intraperitoneal injections. Therapy with indomethacin and lidocaine were evaluated in this model. Indomethacin alone, or in combination with appropriate antibiotics, significantly improved survival. Lidocaine did not show an increase in survival. These findings suggest that indomethacin may be beneficial in treatment of human sepsis.