Plasma levels of nesfatin-1, parathyroid hormone and calcitonin in a rat model of cecal ligation and incision-induced septic shock

Abstract

Considering the anti-inflammatory and shock-reversing effects of nesfatin-1 (NESF-1), the current study aimed to investigate the changes in plasma NESF-1 levels in septic shock conditions that produce both hypotensive and inflammatory effects. The changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin (CT) plasma levels, which have anti-inflammatory activity and play a role in regulating Ca metabolism, such as plasma NESF-1, in septic shock conditions, were also investigated in the study. In the current study, adult male Wistar albino rats were used. Under sevoflurane anesthesia, the animals were catheterized in the femoral arteries to provide monitoring of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), as well as for blood sampling. Then, the cecal ligation and incision (CLI) method was applied to rats to induce experimental septic shock. For control, sham-operated animals were used. The cardiovascular parameters of all animals were monitored for 3 hours starting from hour 0. In addition, 0.5 ml of blood samples in the tubes containing EDTA were collected from the animals through the arterial catheter at 0, 1, and 3 hours. NESF-1, PTH, and CT levels from plasma extracted from collected blood samples were measured using the ELISA method. Data obtained from two groups, septic shock and control, were compared statistically using the Benferoni test after repeated-measures ANOVA. Septic shock gradually caused a decrease in the MAP and an increase in the HR of the rats. Remarkably, animals in the septic shock group exhibited a statistically significant time-dependent increase in plasma NESF-1, PTH, and CT levels compared to the control group. These findings indicate elevated plasma levels of NESF-1, PTH, and CT in correlation with the severity of septic shock, suggesting a potential protective role for endogenous NESF-1, PTH, and CT in the pathophysiology of the condition. Additionally, these increases may be a prognostic biological indicator related to the severity of septic shock