Effect of prostaglandin E in multiple experimental models. VII. Effect on resistance to sepsis.

The immunosuppression seen following burn injury has frequently been attributed to elevated prostaglandin E levels. We evaluated the contribution of elevated prostaglandin E levels on susceptibility to infectious complications utilizing multiple mouse models. The administration of 100 micrograms/kg of the long-acting derivative of prostaglandin E, 16,16-dimethyl-prostaglandin E, was found to improve survival in C3/HEN mice challenged with 1 x 10(8) Escherichia coli organisms intraperitoneally. The administration of indomethacin was found to decrease survival in the same model. With C3/HEJ (endotoxin-resistant) mice, indomethacin was found to increase mortality rates in animals challenged with 1 x 10(8), 1 x 10(9) or 1 x 10(10) Escherichia coli organisms. These findings suggest that elevated prostaglandin E levels seen in burn patients may not be responsible for the postburn increased susceptibility to infectious complications.