Objective: To observe the effect of ketamine on the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP70) in liver of rat with septic shock.
Methods: Sixty-four rats were randomly allocated to control group, endotoxin group and ketamine group. The model of septic shock was used to examine the expression of HSP70 in rat liver and the TNF-alpha level of blood at 2 hours after endotoxin treatment and dying time for endotoxin group rats. The survival rates for the three groups were compared.
Results: There was a significant increase in the expression of HSP70 and the level of TNF-alpha in the endotoxin group as compared with those of control group (P < 0.05). A significant increase in the expression of HSP70, a decrease in the level of TNF-alpha and a significantly higher survival rate were seen in ketamine group when compared with those of endotoxin group, respectively.
Conclusion: Ketamine could increase the expression of HSP70 in rat liver, restrain the release of TNF-alpha caused by endotoxin, and raise the survival rates of rats with septic shock.