L-carnitine counteracts prepubertal exposure to cisplatin induced impaired sperm in adult rats by preventing germ cell apoptosis

We investigated the possible protective effects of L-carnitine on cisplatin induced prepubertal gonadotoxicity and on adult sperm. Prepubertal 30-day-old male rats were divided randomly into three groups: control (n = 12), cisplatin exposed (n = 16) and carnitine treated after cisplatin exposure (n = 16). Rats in the experimental groups were injected with a single dose of cisplatin. L-carnitine was injected 1 h before cisplatin administration and for the following 3 days for the cisplatin + carnitine group. The rats were sacrificed at 31 or 90 days old and their testes were harvested for morphometric and histopathological analysis. Testes of 31-day-old prepubertal rats were examined for germ cell apoptosis using the TUNEL method and for proliferation using PCNA immunostaining. The morphology, motility, quantity and vitality of sperm in epididymal fluid samples of adult 90-day-old rats also were evaluated. L-carnitine treatment reduced testicular damage and the number of TUNEL positive cells significantly, while the number of PCNA positive cells in the cisplatin + carnitine group increased compared to the cisplatin group. During the adult period, epididymal sperm count and viability were improved in rats treated with L-carnitine before prepubertal cisplatin injection. L-carnitine may reduce late testicular and spermatic damage caused by cisplatin administration to prepubertal rats by inducing germ cell proliferation and preventing apoptosis.     

Overexpression of HIF-1α transgene in the renal medulla attenuated salt sensitive hypertension in Dahl S rats

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α-mediated gene activation in the renal medulla in response to high salt intake plays an important role in the control of salt sensitivity of blood pressure. High salt-induced activation of HIF-1α in the renal medulla is blunted in Dahl S rats. The present study determined whether the impairment of the renal medullary HIF-1α pathway was responsible for salt sensitive hypertension in Dahl S rats. Renal medullary HIF-1α levels were induced by either transfection of HIF-1α expression plasmid or chronic infusion of CoCl? into the renal medulla, which was accompanied by increased expressions of anti-hypertensive genes, cyclooxygenase-2 and heme oxygenase-1. Overexpression of HIF-1α transgenes in the renal medulla enhanced the pressure natriuresis, promoted the sodium excretion and reduced sodium retention after salt overload. As a result, hypertension induced by 2-week high salt was significantly attenuated in rats treated with HIF-1α plasmid or CoCl?. These results suggest that an abnormal HIF-1α in the renal medulla may represent a novel mechanism mediating salt-sensitive hypertension in Dahl S rats and that induction of HIF-1α levels in the renal medulla could be a therapeutic approach for the treatment of salt-sensitive hypertension.     

Effects of fucoidan on diabetic rat testicular tissue

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting from hyperglycemia and inadequate endogenous antioxidant systems are responsible for the complications of diabetes. ROS accumulate in the cell and stimulate apoptosis, which compromises sperm quality and function. We investigated the possible effects of fucoidan, a potent antioxidant with a regulatory effect on blood glucose homeostasis, on the testicular tissues of rats with experimental diabetes. Diabetes was induced by administering 40 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) on five consecutive days. Twenty-four Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups: group 1, control group (CG); group 2, diabetes group (DG); group 3, early fucoidan group (EFG) treated with 50 mg/kg fucoidan after diabetes induction; group 4, late fucoidan group (LFG) treated with the same dose of fucoidan 15 days after diabetes induction. Fucoidan was administered intraperitoneally every two days for four weeks. Basement membrane thickness and Johnsen scores were higher in the DG than in the CG; no difference was found for either the EFG or LFG compared to the CG. Seminiferous tubule diameters of EFG were significantly greater than for the DG. Apoptotic tubule and apoptotic cell indexes were significantly greater in the DG and significantly less in the EFG and LFG groups compared to the CG. Early use of fucoidan in diabetic individuals may minimize damage to testicular tissue.     

Biochemical and morphological evaluation of the effects of propolis on cisplatin induced kidney damage in rats

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat various types of cancer; nephrotoxicity is the most common adverse effect of the drug. We investigated the protective effects of propolis against CP induced kidney injury. Thirty-six male rats were divided into six equal groups: untreated control group, 50 mg/kg/day propolis group, 100 mg/kg/day propolis group, single-dose 7 mg/kg CP group, 7 mg/kg CP + 50 mg/kg/day propolis and 7 mg/kg CP + 100 mg/kg propolis. Rats were sacrificed after 14 days and kidneys were removed for histopathological and biochemical analyses. We used hematoxylin & eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining to evaluate kidney histopathology and we used the TUNEL technique to assess apoptosis. We also measured total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in tissue and blood specimens. Normal morphology was observed in the control, 50 mg/kg/day propolis and 100 mg/kg/day propolis groups by light microscopy. Degeneration of tubule cells, edema and tubule dilation were increased in the CP group compared to the control group. Degeneration of tubule cells and dilation of Bowman’s spaces were decreased in the CP + 50 mg/kg/day propolis and CP + 100 mg/kg/day propolis groups compared to the CP group. Tubule dilation decreased significantly in the CP + 100 mg/kg propolis group compared to the CP group. Also, the 7 mg/kg CP group exhibited altered proximal tubule epithelial cells, loss of brush border and thickening of the parietal layer of Bowman’s capsule in glomeruli and basal laminae of tubules. A normal brush border was observed in the CP + 50 mg/kg/day propolis and CP + 100 mg/kg/day groups. Serum OSI and MDA levels were increased in the CP group compared to the control group. Serum MDA levels decreased significantly in the CP + 50 mg/kg/day propolis and 100 mg/kg CP + propolis groups compared to the CP group. CP caused significant damage to kidney tissue; propolis exhibited dose-dependent prevention of tissue damage.     

Therapeutical Effects and Mechanism of Salubrinal Combined with Ulinastatin on Treating Paraquat Poisoning

To explore therapeutic effects and underlying mechanism of Salubrinal combined with Ulinastatin (UTI) on acute Paraquat (PQ) poisoning. Four hundred rats were randomly allocated into UTI group, SAL group, SAL + UTI and control group according to random number table with 100 rats in each group. Acute PQ poisoning models were established, and all rats received UTI, Salubrinal, SAL + UTI and normal saline injection, respectively. Afterward, we analyzed the change of lung tissue and explored the mechanism. Acute PQ poisoning caused significantly damage in rat lung tissue structure, and UTI could effectively repair lung tissue damage. Salubrinal suppressed hemorrhage and fibrosis, but promoted inflammatory infiltration. In contrast, UTI + Salubrinal suppressed hemorrhage, fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration, but could not improve lung tissue damage. Expression of LC3 and Bcl-2 showed statistically significant difference among different groups (p < 0.05). LC3 and Bcl-2 levels in UTI group were much higher than in the other groups, and LC3 and Bcl-2 levels in UTI + SAL group was second higher. LC expression in SAL group was lower than in UTI group and UTI + SAL group with Bcl-2 in control group significantly lower than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Expression of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2/Bax in lung tissue in different groups had statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Caspase-3 in UTI group was lower than in the other groups; however, Bcl-2/Bax in UTI group was higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). Acute PQ poisoning can cause endoplasmic reticulum stress–autophagy in rat, and UTI can increase Bcl-2 expression, decrease Caspase-3, which can inhibit progress of lung injury by suppressing apoptosis and exert good therapeutic effects. Although salubrinal has marked effects on protecting lung tissue, it can increase Bcl-2 expression, which is not beneficial to lung tissue protection. The underlying mechanism still needs further exploration.     

Effects of chronic cold exposure on the endothelin system.

Cold temperatures have adverse effects on the human cardiovascular system. Endothelin (ET)-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor. We hypothesized that cold exposure increases ET-1 production and upregulates ET type A (ETA) receptors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cold exposure on regulation of the ET system. Four groups of rats (6-7 rats/group) were used: three groups were exposed to moderate cold (6.7 +/- 2 degrees C) for 1, 3, and 5 wk, respectively, and the remaining group was maintained at room temperature (25 degrees C) and served as control. Cold exposure significantly increased ET-1 levels in the heart, mesenteric arteries, renal cortex, and renal medulla. Cold exposure increased ETA receptor protein expression in the heart and renal cortex. ET type B (ETB) receptor expression, however, was decreased significantly in the heart and renal medulla of cold-exposed rats. Cold exposure significantly increased the ratio of ETA to ETB receptors in the heart. An additional four groups of rats (3 rats/group) were used to localize changes in ETA and ETB receptors at 1, 3, and 5 wk of cold exposure. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in ETA, but a decrease in ETB, receptor immunoreactivity in cardiomyocytes of cold-exposed rats. Increased ETA receptor immunoreactivity was also found in vascular smooth muscle cells of cold-exposed rats. Cold exposure increased ETA receptor immunoreactivity in tubule epithelial cells in the renal cortex but decreased ETB receptor immunoreactivity in tubule epithelial cells in the renal medulla. Therefore, cold exposure increased ET-1 production, upregulated ETA receptors, and downregulated ETB receptors.     

Erythropoietin prevents sepsis-related acute kidney injury in rats by inhibiting NF-κB and upregulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase

The pathophysiology of sepsis involves complex cytokine and inflammatory mediator networks, a mechanism to which NF-κB activation is central. Downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) contributes to sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction. Erythropoietin (EPO) has emerged as a major tissue-protective cytokine in the setting of stress. We investigated the role of EPO in sepsis-related acute kidney injury using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. Wistar rats were divided into three primary groups: control (sham-operated); CLP; and CLP+EPO. EPO (4,000 IU/kg body wt ip) was administered 24 and 1 h before CLP. Another group of rats received N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) simultaneously with EPO administration (CLP+EPO+l-NAME). A fifth group (CLP+EPOtreat) received EPO at 1 and 4 h after CLP. At 48 h postprocedure, CLP+EPO rats presented significantly higher inulin clearance than did CLP and CLP+EPO+l-NAME rats; hematocrit levels, mean arterial pressure, and metabolic balance remained unchanged in the CLP+EPO rats; and inulin clearance was significantly higher in CLP+EPOtreat rats than in CLP rats. At 48 h after CLP, creatinine clearance was significantly higher in the CLP+EPO rats than in the CLP rats. In renal tissue, pre-CLP EPO administration prevented the sepsis-induced increase in macrophage infiltration, as well as preserving eNOS expression, EPO receptor (EpoR) expression, IKK-α activation, NF-κB activation, and inflammatory cytokine levels, thereby increasing survival. We conclude that this protection, which appears to be dependent on EpoR activation and on eNOS expression, is attributable, in part, to inhibition of the inflammatory response via NF-κB downregulation.     

EPO对肾脏缺血再灌注损伤大鼠肺内氧化应激状态的影响

目的:探讨促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin,EPO)对大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型肺内氧化应激状态的影响。方法:清洁级Sprague-Dawly(SD)大鼠36只适应性喂养1周后,随机分为3组,即假手术组(A组)、肾脏再灌注损伤组(B组)和EPO预处理组(C组),每组12只。A组大鼠只打开腹腔,游离双侧肾蒂但不夹闭;B组与C组都建立了大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型,且C组在夹闭肾蒂前2 h腹腔注射人重组EPO(5000 U/kg)。术后24 h,处死大鼠,检测肺内氧化应激水平。结果:A组大鼠精神状态良好,肾小管结构正常,未见明显上皮细胞肿胀、脱落,肺泡结构基本完整,肺泡间隔未增厚,有少量炎性细胞浸润;B组鼠毛耸立,无光泽,饮水量减少,肾小管结构破坏消失,肾小管扩张,可见大量蛋白管型,肺泡结构破坏,肺泡腔缩窄,肺泡间隔增厚,组织水肿,大量炎性细胞浸润;C组大鼠精神状态有所恢复,一般状况尚可,肾小管损伤较B组轻似,肾小管坏死区域有所减少,坏死偶见,肺泡壁轻度破坏,结构较为清晰,可见少量炎性细胞浸润。B组与C组大鼠的血尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen, BUN)与血肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)水平、肺组织血红素氧合酶(heme oxygenase, HO)-1与丙二醛(malondialdehyde, MDA)水平都显著高于A组,C组以上指标均显著低于B组(P0.05)。B组超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase, SOD)和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(glutathione peroxidase,GSH-Px)的水平均显著高于A组(均P0.05),而C组SOD和GSH-Px的水平均显著高于B组(均P0.05),A组与C组间对比无显著差异。结论:EPO用于大鼠肾脏再灌注损伤模型能缓解肺内氧化应激状态,促进肾功能及肺组织恢复,发挥肾脏保护作用。     

川陈皮素对糖尿病肾病大鼠的治疗作用研究

为观察川陈皮素对糖尿病肾病的治疗作用,本研究选用120只SD大鼠适应性喂养2周后分为正常组(20只)和糖尿病肾病造模组(100只),成功构建糖尿病肾病模型后选取50只,分为模型组,川陈皮素低剂量、中剂量和高剂量组以及阳性药物贝那普利组,每组10只,治疗6周后处死,收集尿液检测24h-尿量和24h-尿蛋白,收集血液检测血糖、胰岛素、血脂、肾功能指标和炎性因子的变化特点,收集肾脏检测肾脏病理学以及肾脏组织中凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2、Bax、Caspase-3表达水平。结果显示,模型组有明显肾小球增大、部分系膜增生和间质纤维化,相较于模型组,贝那普利组和川陈皮素三个剂量组肾小球病变减轻;与模型组相比,贝那普利组和川陈皮素低、中、高剂量组UCr、24h蛋白尿、BUN、Scr、血糖、TG、TC、IL-1、IL-6和TNF-α明显降低(P<0.05),胰岛素含量明显升高(P<0.05);与模型组相比,贝那普利组和川陈皮素低、中和高剂量组Bax和Caspase-3明显降低(P<0.05),Bcl-2明显升高(P<0.05)。上述研究表明,川陈皮素对糖尿病肾脏损害大鼠肾功能具有明显的保护作用。     

The effects of chronic smoking on lung tissue and the role of alpha lipoic acid

Abstract

We investigated the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on blood and lung tissue exposed chronically to cigarette smoke (CS). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control group (CON): fresh air was supplied twice daily and 0.1 ml physiological saline was given orally for 8 weeks. Group 2 was exposed to CS: 12 cigarettes were smoked daily at two sessions for 1 h and 0.1 ml saline was given orally for 8 weeks. Group 3 (CS + ALA) was exposed to 12 cigarettes daily in two sessions for 1 h and 100 mg/kg/day ALA was given orally for 8 weeks. DNA damage was assessed using comet analysis; oxidative damage was assessed using ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) from blood; and total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in blood and lung tissue. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and ?2α, caspase-3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF₂) were conducted using lung tissue. The oxidative markers, TOS, OSI and IMA, and the comet analysis score were increased and the TAS level was decreased in the blood of the CS group compared to the CON group. IMA levels in blood, and TOS and OSI levels in the lung were decreased significantly in the CS + ALA group compared to the CS group. We observed increased septal wall thickness, marked and diffuse inflammatory reaction, emphysema, and necrotic cell debris in bronchial and bronchiolar lumens in the CS group. HIF-1α, HIF-2α, caspase-3 and FGF₂ expressions were increased, while VEGF expression decreased in the lung tissues of the CS group compared to the CON group. ALA slightly ameliorated the damage caused by chronic exposure to CS in the lungs, but further investigation is needed to determine its possible protective effects at different dosages.     

HIF-1α/ERK通路活化调控微波长期辐射致大鼠海马神经元线粒体损伤

本文旨在探讨微波辐射致大鼠海马神经元线粒体损伤中HIF-1α和ERK通路分子表达的改变及意义,为深入研究微波辐射损伤机制和防治提供新靶标.2.5,5和10mW/cm2的微波辐射100只雄性Wistar大鼠,辐射时间为6min/次,5次/周,连续辐射1月,于辐射后6h,7d,14d,1周和2月,采用Real-timePCR,Westernblot和免疫组织化学检测海马中hif-1αmRNA,HIF-1α,ERK1/2和p-ERK1/2表达.结果发现,大鼠海马hif-1αmRNA和HIF-1α蛋白分别在2.5和5mW/cm2组于辐射后14d和1月明显增加,10mW/cm2组辐射后14d～2月降低.但海马ERK1/2未见明显改变.假辐射组p-ERK1/2于海马神经元胞浆中呈弱阳性,2.5mW/cm2组p-ERK1/2表达无明显变化,5和10mW/cm2辐射后7d～1月,p-ERK1/2于海马神经元胞浆和胞核中呈阳性或强阳性.2.5,5和10mW/cm2微波长期辐射后大鼠海马HIF-1α和p-ERK1/2表达的改变,表明HIF-1α和ERK通路活化参与微波辐射致海马线粒体损伤的过程,并可能发挥修复线粒体损伤的作用.     

Content of Minerals and Fatty Acids and Their Correlation with Phytochemical Compounds and Antioxidant Activity of Leguminous Seeds

This study was carried out to determine the effect of zinc on oxidative DNA damage in rats with experimental acute and chronic kidney deficiency. Six groups of five Wistar-Albino rats each were assigned as controls (C), acute kidney deficiency (AKD), zinc-supplemented (+Zn), acute kidney deficiency, zinc-supplemented (AKD + Zn), chronic kidney deficiency (CKD) and zinc-supplemented chronic kidney deficiency (CKD + Zn). The levels of 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were determined, being the lowest in the CKD group (p < 0.05), higher in the C group than those of rats with CKD but lower than that of all the other groups (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the controls and the CKD + Zn group, or between the AKD and the +Zn groups. Among all groups, the highest 8-OHdG level was found in the AKD + Zn group (p < 0.05). DNA damage was greater in acute renal failure than in rats with chronic renal failure. The DNA damage in the zinc group was significantly higher than in the controls.     

Upregulation of angiotensin AT1a receptors mRNA in the heart and renal medulla after myocardial infarction in rats.

The myocardial infarct causes prolonged activation of the renin-angiotensin system and profoundly influences cardiac performance and renal excretory capabilities. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the myocardial infarct is also associated with an altered expression of AT1a receptors (AT1aR) mRNA in the heart and the kidney. To this end male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected either to the left coronary artery ligation or to the sham surgery. Four weeks after the surgery the animals were sacrificed. In 11 infarcted and 10 sham-operated rats expression of AT1aR mRNA in the walls of the left and right ventricle of the heart, and in the renal cortex and renal medulla was determined by semiquantitative PCR method. In another group of 10 infarcted and 14 sham-operated rats the diameter of cardiomyocytes in the left and right cardiac ventricle was determined. The size of the infarct in the rats used for mRNA determination and for morphometric measurements was equal to 29.4 +/- 1.8% and to 31.0 +/- 1.2 % of the left ventricular wall, respectively. Expression of AT1aR mRNA was significantly greater in the left (P< 0.01) and right ventricle (P<0.03) of the heart in the infarcted than in the sham operated rats. AT1aR mRNA expression was also significantly greater (P<0.02) in the renal medulla of the infarcted rats than in the renal medulla of the sham operated rats whereas no significant difference was found in the renal cortex. The myocardial infarct was associated with a significant increase of diameter of cardiomyocytes of the left ventricle of the heart (P< 0.0001), however there was no significant correlation between changes in AT1aR mRNA expression and diameter of cardiomyocytes. The results provide evidence that the myocardial infarct results in significant and prolonged upregulation of AT1a receptors mRNA expression in the heart and in the medullary region of the kidney.     

The SH2B1 adaptor protein associates with a proximal region of the erythropoietin receptor

Gene targeting experiments have shown that the cytokine erythropoietin (EPO), its cognate erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R), and associated Janus tyrosine kinase, JAK2, are all essential for erythropoiesis. Structural-functional and murine knock-in experiments have suggested that EPO-R Tyr-343 is important in EPO-mediated mitogenesis. Although Stat5 binds to EPO-R phosphotyrosine 343, the initial Stat5-deficient mice did not have profound erythroid abnormalities suggesting that additional Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing effectors may bind to EPO-R Tyr-343 and couple to downstream signaling pathways. We have utilized cloning of ligand target (COLT) screening to demonstrate that EPO-R Tyr(P)-343 and Tyr(P)-401 bind to the SH2 domain-containing adaptor protein SH2B1β. Immunoprecipitation and in vitro mixing experiments reveal that EPO-R binds to SH2B1 in an SH2 domain-dependent manner and that the sequence that confers SH2B1 binding to the EPO-R is pYXXL. Previous studies have shown that SH2B1 binds directly to JAK2, but we show that in hematopoietic cells, SH2B1β preferentially associates with the EPO-R. SH2B1 is capable of constitutive association with EPO-R, which is necessary for its optimal SH2-dependent recruitment to EPO-R-Tyr(P)-343/Tyr(P)-401. We also demonstrate that SH2B1 is responsive to EPO stimulation and becomes phosphorylated, most likely on serines/threonines, in an EPO dose- and time-dependent manner. In the absence of SH2B1, we observe enhanced activation of signaling pathways downstream of the EPO-R, indicating that SH2B1 is a negative regulator of EPO signaling.     

The ameliorative effects of vinpocetine on apoptosis and HSP-70 expression in testicular torsion in rats

Vinpocetine is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of vinpocetine on torsion/detorsion (T/D) induced testicular damage, HSP-70 expression and germ cell apoptosis in rats. Sixty Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into five groups of 12. The groups comprised a control group, a sham treated group, a T/D group, a vinpocetine treated group, and a T/D plus vinpocetine treated group. The left testis of each rat was subjected to unilateral torsion followed by detorsion after 2 h. Vinpocetine was administered intraperitoneally immediately and for 10 days following detorsion. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and their testes removed and processed. HSP-70 expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were determined for each group. Testicular T/D caused significant increases in apoptosis and HSP-70 expression, and a significant decrease in Johnsen’s testicular biopsy scores and mean seminiferous tubule diameter. Vinpocetine ameliorated testicular histopathology and HSP-70 expression in the T/D + vinpocetine group. Consequently, vinpocetine may prevent testicular injury following testicular torsion owing to its antioxidant effects.     

Erythropoietin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced splenic and thymic apoptosis in rats

Apoptosis of lymphoid tissues during sepsis is well documented and linked to the pathobiology of organ failure and death. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a single dose of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) on thymic and splenic apoptosis in an endotoxic sepsis model. Young male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups and administered intraperitoneally (IP) either normal saline; lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 10 mg/kg; or EPO (5000 U/kg) 30 min before lipopolysaccharide. Six hours following LPS administration animals were sacrificed. Apoptosis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), and caspase-3 immunostaining. When compared with animals given LPS, animals pretreated with EPO displayed reduced splenic and thymic TUNEL positivity of 44+/-3 (p<0.05) and 143+/-4 (p<0.05) nuclei per high power field (hpf), respectively. Caspase-3 positivity was also significantly reduced in the spleen and thymus, with 31+/-4 (p<0.05) and 93+/-3 (p<0.05) positive stained nuclei per hpf, respectively. Serum nitrite levels were elevated in animals given lipopolysaccharide. Pretreatment with EPO attenuated the increase in nitrite levels; however, this did not reach statistical significance. We conclude that a single dose of recombinant erythropoietin can reduce thymic and splenic apoptosis associated with lipopolysaccharide administration.