THE EFFECT OF CROCETIN ON HEMORRHAGIC-SHOCK IN RATS

There is a reduction in oxygen consumption during hemorrhagic shock, a nd it has been suggested that this correlates with mortality. Recent d ata indicate that the consumption of oxygen may depend on its diffusio n from the erythrocytes to the mitochondria; thus, enhancing this rate might increase tissue oxygen extraction during hypovolemia. Crocetin, a carotenoid compound which has been shown to increase oxygen diffusi vity, was used in rats bled 40% of their blood volumes, and resulted i n increased whole-body oxygen consumption and survival rates. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy data also indicate that crocetin increased oxy gen uptake by muscle. Other factors which might account for these resu lts, such as possible effects of crocetin on red cell deformability an d mitochondrial respiration rates, were also investigated, but the mec hanism of action seems to be related to the increased diffusion of oxy gen through plasma. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.