This study examines the hypothesis that long-term resuscitation with h
yperalimentation (TPN) following acute hemorrhage/reperfusion (H/R) in
jury stimulates renal release of PGE(2). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were
anesthetized and subjected to sham or hemorrhage to 30 mmHg for 30 mi
n followed by reperfusion. All rats were placed on TPN for 5 days, the
n underwent laparotomy for in vivo renal artery and aortic blood flow
for 60 min. The kidney was perfused in vitro with Krebs-Henseleit buff
er at 3 ml/min (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C) and venous effluent was collecte
d for analysis of PGE(2), 6-keto-PGF(1 alpha) and thromboxane B-2 by E
IA. Hemorrhage/reperfusion followed by TPN for 5 days increased renal
PGE(2) 2-fold and decreased in vivo renal artery blood flow by 50% com
pared to the sham group. Hemorrhage/reperfusion followed by TPN did no
t alter release of the other eicosanoids measured. These data suggest
that the kidney has a limited capacity to maintain renal blood flow by
increasing release of PGE(2) when the animal is subjected to long-ter
m resuscitation with TPN following mild hemorrhage/reperfusion injury.