Reduced muscle protein breakdown in septic rats following treatment with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist

Abstract

• 1.

  1. The role ofinterleukin-1 (IL-1) in sepsis-induced muscle proteolysis was assessed by treating septic rats with recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (rIL-Ira).

• 2.

  2. In initial experiments, we tested the effectiveness of IL-Ira in preventing muscle proteolysis induced by administration of IL-1.

• 3.

  3. When normal rats were treated with rIL-α (three intraperitoneal doses of 100 μ g/kg body weight each over 16 hr), total and myofibrillar muscle protein breakdown rates, measured as release oftyrosine and 3-methylhistidine, respectively, by incubated extensor digitorum longus muscles, were significantly increased.

• 4.

  4. This metabolic response to IL-α was completely abolished by rIL-Ira, administered as three intraperitoneal doses of 3 mg/kg body weight each over 16hr.

• 5.

  5. In subsequent experiments, sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP); non-septic rats were sham-operated.

• 6.

  6. Treatment of septic rats over 16hr with a total dose of 25mg/kg body weight of rIL-Ira reduced, but did not normalize, the increased muscle protein breakdown rates seen during sepsis.

• 7.

  7. When the dose of rIL-Ira was more than doubled and given as a constant infusion at a rate of 4.2 mg/kg body weight/hr for 16 hr, the increased rate of muscle proteolysis in septic rats was normalized.

• 8.

  8. The present study offers the first direct evidence that IL-1 is involved in the regulation of muscle proteolysis during sepsis.