HYALURONAN - RELATIONSHIP TO HEMODYNAMICS AND SURVIVAL IN PORCINE INJURY AND SEPSIS

Background and Methods: Hyaluronan is a polysaccharide normally present in low concentrations in the blood, and is rapidly cleared from the blood by the liver. Increased plasma hyaluronan concentrations have been found in patients with sepsis. We studied changes in serum hyaluronan concentrations and their relationship to hemodynamics and survival in a 48-hr porcine model of injury and sepsis. Results: Circulating hyaluronan concentrations increased to high values after induction of experimental sepsis (from mean baseline values of 242 +/- 26 [SEM] to mean maximum concentrations of 964 +/- 255-mu-g/L [p <.01]) compared with controls (199 +/- 38 to 303 +/- 32-mu-g/L). A weak negative correlation between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and serum hyaluronan values was found (r2 = .47; p < .01). Nonsurvivors had higher mean serum hyaluronan concentrations than survivors (603 +/- 147 vs. 285 +/- 43-mu-g/L [p < .05]). Conclusions: Experimental sepsis is associated with an increase in serum hyaluronan values. The relationship between decreased MAP and increased serum hyaluronan concentrations could point to reduced liver perfusion as a cause. An association between high hyaluronan values and nonsurvival in sepsis is possible.