Beneficial effects of beraprost sodium on the LPS-induced rat DIC model with special reference to hemostatic markers and cytokine levels

Abstract

We have elucidated the effect of a PGI₂ derivative, beraprost sodium (BPS), against the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) model in rats. DIC was induced in the Wistar strain male rats by administering LPS at 5.0 mg/kg of body weight via their tail vein over a period of 4 hours. The effect of BPS on the LPS-induced DIC was observed by continuous administration of BPS at 0.2 mg/kg/4.5hr, which had been started 30 minutes prior to the LPS administration. The decreased platelet counts and plasma fibrinogen and the increased thrombin-antithrombin complex and D-dimer, which had been generally noted in these animal models, were all significantly attenuated. Liver and renal failures were considerably ameliorated. Moreover, the increase in plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) was significantly reduced by BPS in the LPS-induced DIC model. From these results, we conclude that BPS was able to exert suppression of DIC together with inhibition of the production of inflammatory cytokines in the LPS-induced DIC model.