Objective      To investigate the effect of intermedin (IMD) on cardiac function in sepsis rats.       Methods      The rat sepsis model was established with cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The rats were divided into 5 groups

namely

sham

CLP

CLP+conventional treatment (CT)

CLP+CT+early injection of IMD (E-IMD) and CLP+CT+later injection of IMD (L-IMD). The effects of early or later administration of IMD on cardiac functions [cardiac output

cardiac index and stroke index

oxygen supply (DO

2

)

oxygen consumption (VO

2

)

blood gas

]

animal survival time

and survival rate were observed.

       Results      As compared with the sham group

the cardiac function (cardiac output

cardiac index

stroke index) were significantly decreased after sepsis. Conventional treatment (including fluids

anti-infection and vasoactive drugs) increased arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure

while had no effects on cardiac functions. Early or later administration of IMD significantly improved cardiac functions

and significantly increased oxygen supply and oxygen consumption

especially the early administration. Compared with CLP group

oxygen supply and oxygen consumption were increased by 148.9% and 172.2% respectively. The administration also significantly improved survival time (23.15 h within 72 h) and survival rate (5/16

31.2% within 72 h).       Conclusion      IMD exerts better therapeutic effect on cardiac functions in sepsis rats.