DEXTRAN-70 ADMINISTRATION AFTER TRAUMA HEMORRHAGIC-SHOCK DOES NOT IMPAIR CELLULAR IMMUNE FUNCTIONS

Purpose: Although the effects of the colloid dextran 70 on induction o f anaphylactoid reactions or reticuloendothelial phagocytosis have bee n examined previously, its effects on specific cell-mediated immunity after trauma-hemorrhage shock remain unknown. Methods: Nonheparinized C3H/HeN mice underwent a laparotomy, were bled, and then maintained at a blood pressure of 35 mm Hg for 60 minutes. Then they were resuscita ted with either 4 x the shed blood volume as lactated Ringer's solutio n (LRS) or 2 x LRS + 1 x dextran 70. Control mice underwent all operat ive protocols but were neither hemorrhaged, nor resuscitated. At 2 or 24 hours posthemorrhage, serum, splenocytes (SPL), and peritoneal macr ophages (pMo, splenic Mo (SMo) Were obtained. Bioassays were used to d etermine interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-3, IL-6, and SPL proliferation. Resu lts: Trauma-hemorrhage markedly depressed lymphokine release, splenocy te proliferation, and IL-6 release at 2 hours after the insult. The co mbination of LRS + dextran did not restore lymphocyte functions, but a lso did not further suppress them. The release of IL-6 by pMo and sMo at 2 and 24 hours after dextran infusion and serum IL-6 remained at th e same level as in LRS-treated animals. Conclusions: The combination o f LRS and colloid dextran 70 does not adversely affect ex vivo cell-me diated immune functions during the first 24 hours after its administra tion after trauma-hemorrhage. Thus, from the immunological standpoint, dextran is a safe resuscitation adjunct. Copyright (C) 1994 by W.B. S aunders Company