Conclusions
Hsp90 inhibitors may offer a new pharmacological tool in the management of severe sepsis and severe sepsis-induced ALI.
Methods
Male C57BL/6 mice received either one of two Hsp90 inhibitors, radicicol or 17-allylaminodemethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), 24, 12, 6, and 0 hours before receiving a lethal dose of endotoxin (6.75 x 10(4) endotoxin units/g body weight). Outcomes included survival and parameters of systemic inflammation (plasma neutrophil, cytokine, chemokine, and nitrite/nitrate levels), pulmonary inflammation (lung nuclear factor-kappaB and myeloperoxidase activities, inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase-Hsp90 complex formation, and leukocyte infiltration), and lung injury (pulmonary capillary leak and lung function). Measurements and main
Results
Mice pretreated with vehicle and receiving endotoxin exhibited 100% 24-hour lethality, a dramatic increase in all parameters of systemic and pulmonary inflammation, increased capillary leak, and reduced lung function. Compared with them, mice receiving either radicicol or 17-AAG before endotoxin exhibited prolonged survival, reduced or abolished increases in systemic and pulmonary inflammatory parameters, attenuated capillary leak, and restored, normal lung function. Conclusions: Hsp90 inhibitors may offer a new pharmacological tool in the management of severe sepsis and severe sepsis-induced ALI.