OBJECTIVEThe aim of the study is to explore the effect of NF-kappa B signal pathway in neonatal sepsis so as to provide the experimental base for corresponding clinical treatment of the sepsis, in which NF-kappa B is taken as the target.

METHODSThe sepsis model was established in newborn rats by giving Staphylococcus aureus subcutaneously: (1) The electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) was used to observe the activity of NF-kappa B in the lungs and the livers in newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. (2) Immunohistochemical method was used to observe the activity of NF-kappa B P56 in newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis. (3) The anti-oxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) was used to observe its effect on NF-kappa B activities of liver and lungs and on the activity of splenic NF-kappa B P56 in newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.

RESULTSIn newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis, the NF-kappa B activity in lungs was enhanced at the 1st hour and reached to the peak level at the 3rd hour; then, it was weakened gradually and at the 24th hour faded away. The activity of the liver NF-kappa B was also activated and peaked at the 4th hour; then, it was gradually weakened and at the 24th hour faded away. The positive expression of splenic NF-kappa B P56 began to be intensified at the 1st hour (12.0 +/- 3.7), peaked at the 3rd hour (51.4 +/- 5.9) and showed insignificant differences at the 24th hour (3.4 +/- 1.4) as compared with the sepsis group. PDTC had an inhibitive effect on the activities of liver NF-kappa B and lung NF-kappa B and on the positive expression of splenic NF-kappa B P56 used in the dosage of 50-200 mg/kg. The larger the dosage was used, the more intensified inhibitive effect could be obtained. In the dosage of 200 mg/kg, the inhibitive effect was the most intensified.

CONCLUSIONS(1) In newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis, the NF-kappa B of lungs, liver and spleen were activated, and all indicate a peak. (2) The anti-oxidant PDTC can inhibit NF-kappa B activity in a dose-effect fashion in newborn rats with Staphylococcus aureus sepsis.