Cytidine-5-diphosphocholine reduces microvascular permeability during experimental endotoxemia

Background Microvascular permeability and leukocyte adhesion are pivotal mechanisms in sepsis pathophysiology contributing to the development of shock and mortality. No effective pharmacological therapy is currently available to restore microvascular barrier function in sepsis. Cholinergic mediators have been demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory effects during inflammation. Cytidine-5-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) is an extensively studied cholinergic drug due to its brain protective characteristics in cerebrovascular diseases. This study evaluated the effect of CDP-choline on microvascular permeability and leukocyte adhesion during endotoxemia.