Adult C57BL/6 male mice were divided into three groups: sham group, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, and CLP?+?UTI group. Acute septic peritonitis was induced by CLP. Saline and UTI (100,000 U/kg) were intravenously injected 30 min after CLP in CLP and CLP?+?UTI groups, respectively. Samples were collected for further analysis 24 h after surgery.
UTI administration significantly improved 7-d survival; ameliorated morphologic damage and weight loss in the spleen and thymus; decreased serum tumor necrosis factor ¦Á, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels; increased the number of T and B cells in peripheral blood, spleen, and thymus; and inhibited T-cell apoptosis in the thymus and spleen in septic mice.
UTI exerted a protective effect against sepsis by suppressing inflammatory response and lymphocyte apoptosis.