EFFECTS OF DIASPIRIN-CROSS-LINKED HEMOGLOBIN (DCLHB(TM)) ON LOCAL TISSUE OXYGEN-TENSION IN STRIATED SKIN MUSCLE - AN EFFICACY STUDY IN THE HAMSTER

Using the dorsal skin fold chamber model in the hamster, we analyzed l ocal tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2) in the striated skin muscle under nonischemic and postischemic conditions with a Clark-type multiw ire oxygen surface electrode. Hypervolemic infusion (500 mg.kg(-1) IV) or isovolemic exchange transfusion (3.3 gm.kg(-1) IV; hematocrit 30%) with diaspirin-cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb) resulted in a slight d ecrease of the mean value of the local tissue PO2 (mm Hg) 1 hour after administration. Concomitantly, the frequency distribution curves of l ocal tissue PO2 values were found to be more narrow (fewer values > 25 mm Hg and < 10 mm Hg). Resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock (b leeding of 33 ml.kg(-1) at 0.4 ml.min(-1)) with autologous blood (AuB) , Dr-60, or DCLHb(TM) led to an Increase of) mean tissue PO2 values by 4.2-fold (p < 0.05 versus Dr-60), 1.9-fold, and 3.7-fold (p < 0.05 ve rsus Dr-60), respectively, 2 hours after resuscitation. The reduction of tissue hypoxia (0-5 mm Hg) was significant only in the AuB- and DCL Hb(TM)-treated animals. This study indicates that DCLHb(TM) effectivel y reverses tissue hypoxia after resuscitation from severe hemorrhagic shock by inducing a more homogeneous distribution of the local tissue PO2 levels.