β-Sitosterol Alters the Inflammatory Response in CLP Rat Model of Sepsis by Modulation of NFκB Signaling

Purpose. Sepsis originates from the host inflammatory response, especially to bacterial infections, and is considered one of the main causes of death in intensive care units. Various agents have been developed to inhibit mediators of the inflammatory response; one prospective agent is beta-sitosterol (beta S), a phytosterol with a structure similar to cholesterol. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of beta S on the biomarkers of inflammation and liver function in cecal ligation and puncture- (CLP-) induced septic rats. Methods. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided equally into six groups as follows: sham, CLP, CLP+dexamethasone (DX, 0.2 mg/kg), CLP+beta S (1 mg/kg), CLP+imipenem (IMI, 20 mg/kg), and CLP+IMI (20 mg/kg)+beta S (1 mg/kg). Serum levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, AST, ALT, and liver glutathione (GSH) were assessed by ELISA. Liver expression levels of TNF-alpha and NF-kappa Bi mRNAs were evaluated by RT-qPCR. Results. Serum concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, ALT, and AST and mRNA levels of TNF-alpha and NF-kappa Bi were all significantly higher in septic rats than in normal rats (p<0.05). Liver GSH content was markedly lower in the CLP group than that in the sham group. beta S-treated rats had remarkably lower levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, NF-kappa Bi, AST, and ALT (51.79%, 62.63%, 41.46%, 54.35%, 94.37%, 95.30%, 34.87%, and 46.53% lower, respectively) and greater liver GSH content (35.71% greater) compared to the CLP group (p<0.05). Conclusion. beta S may play a protective role in the septic process by mitigating inflammation. This effect is at least partly mediated by inhibition of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway. Thus, beta S can be considered as a supplementary treatment in septic patients.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the effects of beta S on biomarkers of inflammation and liver function in septic rats, showing that beta S can effectively reduce inflammation and increase liver GSH content, potentially through inhibition of the NF-kappa B signaling pathway.