THE EFFECT OF HYPOTHERMIA ON POTASSIUM AND GLUCOSE CHANGES IN ISOBARIC HEMORRHAGIC-SHOCK IN THE RAT

Hypothermia has been shown to decrease oxygen consumption requirements and improve survival during hemorrhagic shock. However, hypothermia a pplied therapeutically does not prevent the development of a lactic ac idosis during hemorrhage, We re-examined the development of a hemorrha ge-induced lactic acidosis and other metabolic parameters (glucose, pl asma electrolytes, and arterial blood gases) at various temperatures ( 29-37 degrees C) to better define the protective action of hypothermia in hemorrhagic shock, Five groups of male, Sprague-Dawley rats were b led to a mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) of 40 mmHg over a 15 min period and held there by further blood removal until death, The final level and rate of development of the lactic acidemia was the same in a ll groups, However, the rate of decline in plasma glucose and rate of rise in plasma potassium were temperature dependent. These results sug gest that temperature-dependent changes in serum glucose and potassium may contribute to the protective effect of hypothermia during hemorrh agic shock.