Krill oil and atorvastatin attenuate sepsis-associated clinical deterioration and mortality in mice

Abstract

Sepsis is a severe clinical condition marked by a dysregulated host response to infection, resulting in systemic inflammation, organ dysfunction, and high mortality. Conventional anti-inflammatory therapies have yielded limited success, prompting interest in strategies that promote active resolution of inflammation. Krill oil, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and atorvastatin, a statin with pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving properties, may offer complementary benefits in sepsis management. This study evaluated the effects of krill oil and atorvastatin, alone and in combination, on clinical manifestations and survival outcomes in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine model of polymicrobial sepsis. Adult male Swiss albino mice were subjected to CLP to induce sepsis and were pretreated with krill oil (250 mg/kg, p.o.), atorvastatin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), or their combination. Clinical signs of sepsis were monitored, and survival duration was assessed over 72 hours. Survival data were analysed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the Log-rank test. CLP-induced sepsis resulted in severe clinical deterioration and significantly reduced survival in untreated mice. Pretreatment with krill oil or atorvastatin moderately improved clinical condition and survival duration. Notably, combined treatment produced the most pronounced protective effect, significantly prolonging survival and attenuating sepsis-associated clinical signs. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant difference among treatment groups (p