Introduction: Sepsis and related complications lead to high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Olmesartan medoxomil (OLM), a nonpeptide angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, has antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects in various experimental animal models. The present study aimed to investigate whether OLM protects against sepsis in a clinically relevant model of polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP).
Methods: Sepsis was induced by CLP in anesthetized rats. OLM was administered intraperitoneally 3 h after CLP onset. Hemodynamic, biochemical, and inflammatory parameters were analyzed.
Results: The administration of OLM in CLP rats significantly improved their survival rate. Moreover, OLM mitigated CLP-induced hypotension and organ injury (indicated by biochemical parameters), but not tachycardia. OLM significantly reduced the plasma levels of interleukin-6 and nitric oxide.
Conclusions: OLM markedly attenuated CLP-induced hypotension and organ injury, and hence improved survival by inhibiting the inflammatory response and nitrosative stress in this clinically relevant model of sepsis.
Keywords: Inflammatory response; Nitric oxide; Olmesartan medoxomil; Organ injury; Polymicrobial sepsis.
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