Glutathione protects mice from lethal sepsis by limiting inflammation and potentiating host defense

P Villa, A Saccani, A Sica… - The Journal of infectious …, 2002 - academic.oup.com
P Villa, A Saccani, A Sica, P Ghezzi
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2002academic.oup.com
Neutrophils have a dual role in sepsis—defending against infection and mediating organ
failure. Because glutathione (GSH) is lower in sepsis, the hypothesis that GSH depletion
might impair the migratory response of neutrophils to infection was tested. In a mouse model
of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture, GSH depletion inhibited
peritoneal neutrophil infiltration, increased bacterial colonies, augmented pulmonary
neutrophil infiltrate, and worsened survival. The reduced peritoneal influx of neutrophils was …
Abstract
Neutrophils have a dual role in sepsis—defending against infection and mediating organ failure. Because glutathione (GSH) is lower in sepsis, the hypothesis that GSH depletion might impair the migratory response of neutrophils to infection was tested. In a mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture, GSH depletion inhibited peritoneal neutrophil infiltration, increased bacterial colonies, augmented pulmonary neutrophil infiltrate, and worsened survival. The reduced peritoneal influx of neutrophils was explained by a reduced in vivo neutrophil migration in response to locally administered chemokines and by reduced chemotactic activity and chemokine levels in peritoneal lavage fluid. Conversely, the GSH precursor N-acetyl-L-cysteine augmented neutrophil infiltration in the peritoneum but not in the lung, decreased bacterial colonies, and improved survival. Thus, migration of neutrophils to a site of infection and to a distant site is differently regulated, and optimal GSH levels are important for an efficient response to sepsis.
Oxford University Press