Comparative Efficacy of the Steroids Administered by Inhalation and Parenteral Route in Lambs with Experimentally Induced Endotoxemia

The aim of the present investigation was to compare the efficacy of the steroids administered by inhalation and parenteral route in lambs with experimentally induced endotoxemia. In this study, 19 lambs were used at 2 months of age. Seven groups were designed as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (n=3), LPS+budesonide (BUD) (n=3), LPS+BUD+enrofloxacin (ENR)+trimethoprim-sulfadoxine (TM-SD) (n=3), LPS+dexamethasone (DEX) (n=2), LPS+DEX+ENR+TM-SD (n=2), LPS+flunixine meglumine (FM)+ENR+TM-SD (n=3), and control (n=3). While increase in serum tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in LPS group was found, significant decrease in serum TNF-α in all treatment groups was determined (P<0.05). Serum IL-6 level in LPS+BUD and LPS+BUD+ENR+TM-SD groups reached the level of control group compared to that of other groups (P<0.05). While lung tissue malondialdehyde level (MDA) in the LPS group increased, MDA level of all treatment groups reached the level of control group (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and total glutathione (GSH) level in all treatment groups was significantly increased compared to those of LPS group (P<0.05). Histopathological examination showed intra-alveolar haemorrhage, congestion areas, and adhesive leukocyte density of pulmonary veins in the lung sections of LPS group. In LPS+BUD and LPS+BUD+ENR+TM-SD groups, increase in local intraalveolar haemorrhage, dense congestion areas, and adhesive leukocytes and dilatation of pulmonary capillaries were detected. It was observed that in LPS+DEX, LPS+DEX+ENR+TM-SD and LPS+FM+ENR+TM-SD groups, congestion became dense in specific areas, and intra-alveolar haemorrhage and adhesive leukocyte density was lower. It was concluded that steroids administered by inhalation and parenteral route had similar effects on serum proinflammatory cytokine levels and tissue oxidative stress markers in lambs with experimentally induced endotoxemia and that both steroid groups can be beneficial in the treatment of endotoxemia.