Sepsis induces DNA fragmentation in rat skeletal muscle

Recent studies have demonstrated the activation of skeletal muscle DNA fragmentation in some catabolic conditions [1]. In an attempt to elucidate if sepsis (a catabolic state) was also associated with muscle apoptosis, sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture, and the results clearly show an induction of DNA fragmentation in gastrocnemius muscle following the induction of the septic state. Administration of rolipram (an inhibitor of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) synthesis) to septic rats clearly prevented the increased DNA fragmentation, suggesting that TNF-α is involved in the activation of the apoptotic events in septic rat skeletal muscle.