Effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on sepsis-induced changes in neutrophil accumulation and organ glucose uptake.

Neutropenia was seen in rats made septic by subcutaneous (sc) injection of Escherichia coli. The sepsis-induced increase in glucose uptake by tissues distant from the site of infection was not associated with increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Only the skin and muscle at the site of infection demonstrated an increase in both glucose uptake and MPO activity. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) attenuated the sepsis-induced decrease in circulating neutrophils. Both glucose uptake and MPO activity of skin and muscle adjacent to the infection site showed a smaller increase in G-CSF treated rats. In contrast, septic rats injected with G-CSF exhibited a greater number of leukocytes and a larger reduction in the number of bacteria in the sc lavage fluid. These results demonstrate that G-CSF is a potent immunomodulator that stimulates neutrophil function and also increases their recruitment to the site of infection, resulting in improved bacterial killing and host defense.