Changes of Whole Blood Glucose Level in Toxemic Mice Induced by Vibrio vulnificus Cytolysin

Lee, Sang Won; Cha, Seung Hoon; Park, Seok Don

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Vibrio(V.) vulnificus is a pathogenic, marine, halophilic, gram-negative bacillus which causes fulminant septic shock. Shock can be complicated by occurrence of hypoglycemia, which is caused by an unbalance between glucose production and consumption. Metabolic changes, especially glucose metabolism, in septic shock caused by V. vulnificus are not well clarified yet. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the changes of blood sugar level after intravenous administration of V. vulnificus cytolysin which is known to be a major virulent factor for elucidating pathogenesis of septic shock. METHODS: After administration of the lethal dose(8 hemolytic units)of V. vulnificus cytolysin through mouse tail vein in non-fasting and fasting group, we obtained blood samples from heart according to time courses of every thirty minutes. We measured whole blood glucose level using commercially available blood glucose meter. RESULTS: The level of blood glucose increased until 90 minutes, began to decrease at 120 minutes, and fell to baseline at 360 minutes in non-fasting mouse group. In fasting group, although elevation of blood glucose level was not observed in early stage of toxemia, hypoglycemia was nearly concordant with non-fasting group in late stage of toxemia. CONCLUSION: Hypoglycemia should be checked in patients with V. vulnificus sepsis. Failure to recognize and treat the hypoglycemia may contribute to the prognosis of these patients.