Tissue and plasma putrescine levels in non-survivors of sepsis in a fluid-resuscitated rat model of faecal peritonitis

Introduction The polyamine, putrescine, was first isolated from putrefying meat but is thought to play an important role in cell growth and differentiation ([1]). It also generates succinate via GABA and can thus serve as an energy source to the small intestine ([2]). Elevated plasma putrescine levels have been reported in an endotoxic rodent model ([3]). We have previously characterized a 72 h fluid-resuscitated rat model of faecal peritonitis where prognostication can be accurately made as early as 6 h post-insult ([4]).