Effect of Erythrocyte Debris on Reticuloendothelial Function and Susceptibility to Experimental Peritonitis 1

Abstract

Previous work from this laboratory has demonstrated that injection of hemolyzed blood or erythrocyte stroma depressed reticuloendothelial system (RES) phagocytic function and increased susceptibility to hemorrhagic and endotoxin shock. The present study was done to determine if RES depression induced by erythrocyte stroma or foreign particulates will increase susceptibility to experimental peritonitis in rats. RES function, determined from the clearance rate and organ localization of formalinized sheep red blood cells, was depressed following the injection of 0.5 or 0.75 ml/100 g of erythrocyte stroma but was unchanged after 0.3 ml/100 g. Peritonitis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture, and mortality was assessed at 8-hr intervals for 72 hr after cecal ligation. Stroma, at 0.3 ml/100 g, had no effect on time to death, but time to death was decreased with 0.5 ml/100 g (P < 0.05) and with 0.75 ml/100 g (P < 0.001). Nonhemolyzed, washed erythrocytes and hemoglobin (100 mg/100 g) injected iv had no effect on time to death; however, hemoglobin injected ip decreased time to death. RES depression with gelatinized lipid emulsion or colloidal carbon also decreased time to death following cecal ligation. Thus, RES depression with erythrocyte stroma was associated with increased susceptibility to infection. These data suggest that hemolysis and phagocytosis of erythrocyte debris after thermal injury may contribute to the increased susceptibility to infection which is seen following this form of injury.