OXYGEN FREE-RADICALS - EFFECT ON RED-CELL DEFORMABILITY IN SEPSIS

Objective: To examine the effect of alpha-tocopherol, a free radical scavenger, on RBC deformability, mixed venous hemoglobin saturation (SVBARO2), arterial-venous oxygen content difference (C[a-VBAR]O2), pHVBAR, and survival during sepsis. Design: Randomized controlled study. Interventions: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to three groups: sham, cecal ligation and puncture, or alpha-tocopherol/cecal ligation and puncture (pretreatment with alpha-tocopherol before cecal ligation and puncture). Measurements and Main Results: The cecal ligation and puncture group had a significantly (p < .05) higher SVBARO2 and lower C(a-VBAR)O2, pHVBAR, and survival rate when compared with alpha-tocopherol/cecal ligation and puncture and sham groups. No difference in pHa existed between groups. Conclusions: The alpha-tocopherol treatment improves survival in sepsis. RBC deformability during sepsis is prevented by alpha-tocopherol, suggesting that free radicals may cause the decrease in RBC deformability. This study provides indirect evidence that decreased RBC deformability may play a role in the physiologic peripheral shunting and decreased microcirculatory flow that occurs during sepsis.