Pentoxifylline improves resting membrane potential in sepsis.

The resting membrane potential (RMP) of skeletal muscle cells was investigated in a hyperdynamic animal model of sepsis. Reduced membrane potential is known to parallel the clinical course of sepsis and hemorrhagic shock in animal models. Pentoxifylline (PTF), a dimethyl xanthine derivative of the theophylline family, may improve the metabolic effects of sepsis. A cecal ligation and puncture (CL&P) sepsis model in Wistar rats was used in which RMP was measured with differing administration regimes of PTF. The RMP decreased less rapidly in our study when PTF was administered after CL&P and this effect was most noticeable after 18 hours. Administration of PTF before CL&P had little effect on membrane potential fall-off. These results suggest a potential role for PTF in the management of sepsis.