Porcine sepsis model

A porcine sepsis model showed promising results, as the drug decreased mortality, improved cardiovascular function and decreased both endotoxin and TNF levels (Goldfarb et al., 2003). This led to a phase 2 clinical trial, The Lipid Infusion and Patients Outcomes in Sepsis (LIPOS) trial. 

Levosimendan is a novel inotropic calcium-sensitizing drug. In advanced congestive heart failure, it improves cardiac contractility by sensitizing troponin C to calcium. It has been used recently in a porcine model of endotoxin-induced septic shock, in which pretreatment with levosimendan improved cardiac output and systemic and gut oxygen delivery." There are currently two ongoing clinical trials of levosimendan in septic shock. The role of levosimendan in the supportive management of circulatory failure in sepsis remains to be determined. 

Goldfarb RD, Marton A, Szabo E et al. Protective effect of a novel, potent inhibitor of polyfadenosine 5 -diphosphate-ribose) synthetase in a porcine model of severe bacterial sepsis. Crit Care Med 2002 30 974-80. 

Gonzalez et al. (1995) evaluated EUK-8 in a highly stringent porcine model for sepsis-induced adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). EUK-8 abrogated the increase in lung malondialdehyde, indicating that it prevented tissue lipid peroxidation. 

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