SHOCK-REINFUSION INJURY TO THE CENTRAL ORGANS AND THE EFFECT OF FREE-RADICAL SCAVENGERS IN THE RAT

Hemorrhagic shock-reinfusion injury produces critical changes in vario us organs with the generation of oxidant-free radicals. Some papers ha ve reported that shock-reinfusion injury to the intestine is effective ly reduced by the scavengers of free radicals; however, few reports me ntion the central organ damage caused by systemic hemorrhagic shock-re infusion injury. Using a rat systemic hemorrhagic shock model, injury to the central organs, being the brain, heart, lungs, liver, and kidne ys was assessed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA). The MDA levels in the lungs, kidneys, and liver were elevated significantly after reinfu sion, although there was no elevation of MDA in the brain or heart. Th ese data show that the lungs, liver, and kidneys are easily damaged by shock-reinfusion, but that the brain and heart are relatively resista nt. The efficacy of the free radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase plus catalase and allopurinol, were evaluated 30 min after reinfusion. Pathological examination showed that superoxide dismutase plus catala se and allopurinol reduced reinfusion injury in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Moreover, superoxide dismutase plus catalase reduced MDA leve ls in both the liver and kidneys, whereas allopurinol reduced MDA leve ls only in the kidneys after reinfusion. However, these free radical s cavengers could not suppress the elevation of MDA in the lungs after r einfusion.