Effects of Qingwen Baidu decoction on coagulation and multiple organ injury in rat models of sepsis

Background: Sepsis-induced coagulopathy and multiple organ dysfunction syndromes are the leading causes of death in patients with sepsis. Qingwen Baidu decoction (QWBD) can effectively improve the clinical manifestations of sepsis and ease inflammation, but its effects on coagulation functions and multiple organ injuries remain unclear. Methods: 100 healthy, male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham group, the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group, the low-dose QWBD group, and the high-dose QWBD group, with 25 rats in each group. The sepsis model was established using CLP. Blood was collected to measure platelet count, serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, as well as coagulation function. The total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was determined in each group of rats. The lung, liver, and kidney tissues were harvested, and statistics were calculated on the wet-to-dry (W/D) weight ratio. Changes in histopathology and thrombin level were evaluated in each group. The remaining ten rats in each group were observed daily to record the number of surviving rats. Such observation was made consecutively for 7 days to calculate survival rates. Results: After model establishment, ALT, AST, Cr, and BUN levels were significantly elevated (P < 0.01)). The BALF protein content and lung W/D weight ratio were significantly increased (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the survival rate of rats was significantly reduced in the CLP group compared with the sham group. After the treatment, rats in the high-dose QWBD group had lower ALT (P < 0.05), AST (P < 0.01), Cr (P < 0.05), BUN (P < 0.01) levels, lower BALF protein content (P < 0.05) and lower lung W/D weight ratio (P < 0.01) than the CLP group. however, rats in the high-dose QWBD group had significantly better pathological changes in the lung, liver, and kidney compared to the sham group. After the treatment, the platelet level in the peripheral blood was elevated (P < 0.05) and both activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time were significantly shortened (P < 0.01). The fibrinogen level was significantly increased (P < 0.01). Finally, thrombin positive expression areas in the lung, liver, and kidney were significantly decreased in the high-dose QWBD group. Conclusion: QWBD can improve coagulation disorders caused by sepsis and has a protective effect on multiple organ injuries in rats.