J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 104(11): 800-804, 2003

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Editorial

ANIMAL MODELS FOR SEPSIS

When new immunomodulatory agents are developed for the treatment of sepsis, the efficacy is usually tested in animal models before going to clinical trials. However, despite promising preclinical evidence, dozens of new agents have failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy. One of the reasons may be that the preclinical trials were conducted using animal models that did not adequately refiect clinical realities. Various kinds of experiments utilized for the development of new agents were carried where bolus or short term continuous infusions of large doses of bacteria or endotoxin were administered intravenously. Massive IV bolus models using bacteria or endotoxin generally produce a rapid hypodynamic cardiovascular response with the animals dying within hours. The serum cytokine response is transient and is much greater in magnitude than that observed in septic patients. For the preclinical testing of agents, 1) IV bacteria and endotoxin models in which the total challenge dose of adequate bacteria or endotoxin is reduced and/or the length of administration time is increased, and 2) peritonitis models, e.g., cecal ligation and puncture and peritoneal implantation of bacteria or endotoxin, will become reasonable choices. The animals are also required to receive volume resuscitation and adjuvant antibiotic therapy.

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