The effects of specific and non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitors and N-acetylcysteine on oxidative stress and remote organ injury in two-hit trauma model

Background Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to infection and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The second hit after trauma causes increased inflammatory response and multiple organ failure (MOF). The infection which develops after burn injury is a suitable model for a two-hit trauma study. Sepsis causes the release of biochemical mediators, such as Free Oxygen Radicals (FORs), which may lead to lipid peroxidation, which may play a key role in multiple organ failure. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (sildenafil, milrinone, pentoxifylline) and N-acetylcysteine (NAS) on oxidative stress and organ damage in two-hit models. Methods In this experimental study, peritonitis was created by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) method in 40 rats, 72 hours after creating a 30% scalding injury. Rats were divided into five groups of eight rats each as follows: Group I: No treatment; Group II: 10/mg/kg/day dosage of intraperitoneal (i.p) sildenafil treatment was applied for 72 hours after CLP; Group III: 1/mg/kg/day dosage of i.p milrinone treatment was applied for 72 hours after CLP; Group IV: 150/mg/kg/day dosage of i.p NAS treatment was applied for 72 hours after CLP; Group V: 50/mg/kg/day dosage of i.p pentoxifylline treatment was applied for 72 hours after CLP. All rats were sacrificed on the seventh day of this study. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), catalase, Tumor Necrotic Factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, and tissue (lung, kidney) and serum samples were taken for histopathological study. Results When compared to the control group, the tissue damage score was found to be lower in all treatment groups. Sildenafil, milrinone and NAS groups had higher kidney GPx levels compared to the control group. Milrinone and pentoxifylline were higher in the lung tissue compared to the SOD control group. TNFα levels were lower in pentoxifylline and milrinone groups compared to the control group. Conclusion This experimental study has shown that PDE inhibitors and NAS have a decreasing effect on oxidative stress and distant organ damage in the two-hit model. Further clinical and experimental studies are needed on this subject.