Thrombopoietin Levels Change In Septic Rats And Its Relation To Sepsis Severity

Objective To measure serum thrombopoietin levels in two-hit induced septic rats, and to investigate their relationship with sepsis severity.Methods SD rats were randomly divided into five group —control group(A, n=10) , injury group (B, n=8) , sepsis group (C, n=15) , severe sepsis group(D, n= 12), septic shock group (E, n=8). A rat model of sepsis was established byinfusing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of lmg/kg,2mg/kg ,3mg/kg afterhemorrhagic shock by bleeding. After blood sampling, serum thrombopoietin, andplatelet counts, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor- α (TNF- α )weremeasured.Results platelet counts did not decease in sepsis group but they significantly decreased in severe sepsis group and septic shock group (p<0.01) .In contrast thrombopoietin levels increased in sepsis group , exhibiting further significant increase in severe sepsis group and septic shock group. IL-6 and TNF- α increased in injury group, sepsis group, severe sepsis group, septic shock group. In multiple regression analysis, thrombopoietin was significantly related to interleukin-6.Conclusion Thrombopoietin levels increased in septic rats. Sepsis severity is the major determinant of elevated thrombopoietin levels in septic rats. Thrombopoietinrepresents a potential marker of sepsis severity.