PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

D J Brackett

Publications and source records attributed to D J Brackett.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Dried plum prevents bone loss in a male osteoporosis model via IGF-I and the RANK pathway.

Previously, dietary supplementation with dried plums, a rich source of polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has been shown to improve bone density, microstructure and biomechanics in female animal models of osteopenia. We designed this study to determine the extent to which dried plum prevents skeletal deterioration in gonadal hormone deficient male animals and to begin to understand its mechanism of action. Sixty 6-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were either sham-operated (Sham = 1 group) or orchidectomized (ORX = 4 groups) and randomly assigned to dietary treatments: standard semi-purified diet (Control) with either LD = 5%, MD = 15%, or HD = 25% (w/w) dried plum for 90 days. At the end of the treatment period, both the MD and HD dried plum completely prevented the ORX-induced decrease in whole body, femur, and lumbar vertebra bone mineral density (BMD). Biomechanical testing indicated that the MD and HD of dried plum prevented the ORX-induced decrease in ultimate load of the cortical bone as well as the compressive force and stiffness of trabecular bone within the vertebrae. Analyses of trabecular microarchitecture of the distal femur metaphysis and vertebral body revealed that HD dried plum protected against the decrease in trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) induced by ORX. In the distal femur, all doses of dried plum improved trabecular number (TbN) and separation (TbSp) compared to the ORX-control group, while MD and HD dried plum prevented the ORX-induced changes in vertebral TbN and TbSp. At the end of the 90-day treatment, no remarkable changes in serum osteocalcin or alkaline phosphatase in any of the treatment groups were observed, while serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I was increased by dried plum. The ORX-induced increase in urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) excretion was completely prevented by all doses of dried plum coinciding with down-regulation of gene expression for receptor activator of NFkappa-B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the bone. We conclude that dried plum prevents osteopenia in androgen deficient male rats, and these beneficial effects may be attributed in part to a decrease in osteoclastogenesis via down-regulation of RANKL and stimulation of bone formation mediated by IGF-I.

Animals↗

Systemic bone loss and induction of coronary vessel disease in a rat model of chronic inflammation.

Clinically, osteopenia or low bone mass has been observed in a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, and elevated proinflammatory mediators have implicated this process. The purpose of this study was to develop an in vivo model of bone loss induced by chronic systemic inflammation. Time-release pellets designed to deliver one of three doses of LPS: Low (3.3 microg/day), High (33.3 microg/day), or Placebo over 90 days, were implanted subcutaneously in 3-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8/group). Neutrophil counts, indicative of ongoing inflammation, were elevated (P < 0.05) in both LPS groups at 30 days post-implant and remained significantly elevated in the High dose throughout the 90-day study period. At the end of the study, bone loss occurred in the femur as indicated by decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in both LPS-treated groups, but vertebral BMD was reduced in the High dose animals only. Microcomputed tomography revealed that trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) of the proximal tibial metaphysis tended to be reduced in the High dose LPS group. Deleterious effects on trabecular number (TbN) and trabecular separation (TbSp) were observed in both LPS-treated groups, but only the High dose group reached statistical significance. These alterations in trabecular microarchitecture resulted in compromised biomechanical properties. No changes in cortical thickness, porosity, or area of the tibia midshaft were evident at either dose of LPS. Up-regulation of the proinflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was demonstrated in the metaphyseal region where the deleterious effects of LPS were observed. In addition to these alterations in bone, trichrome staining indicated changes in the coronary arterioles, consistent with vascular disease. Utilization of a LPS time-release pellet appears to provide an in vivo model of chronic inflammation-induced bone loss and a potentially novel system to study concurrent development of osteopenia and vascular disease.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Vitamin E provides protection for bone in mature hindlimb unloaded male rats.

The deleterious effects of skeletal unloading on bone mass and strength may, in part, result from increased production of oxygen-derived free radicals and proinflammatory cytokines. This study was designed to evaluate the ability of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), a free-radical scavenger with antiinflammatory properties, to protect against bone loss caused by skeletal unloading in mature male Sprague-Dawley rats. A 2 x 3 factorial design was used with either hindlimb unloading (HU) or normal loading (ambulatory; AMB), and low-dose (LD; 15 IU/kg diet), adequate-dose (AD; 75 IU/kg diet), or high-dose (HD; 500 IU/kg diet) vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate). To optimize the effects of vitamin E on bone, dietary treatments were initiated 9 weeks prior to unloading and continued during the 4-week unloading period, at which time animals were euthanized and blood and tissue samples were collected. Serum vitamin E was dose-dependently increased, confirming the vitamin E status of animals. The HD treatment improved oxidation parameters, as indicated by elevated serum ferric-reducing ability and a trend toward reducing tissue lipid peroxidation. Histomorphometric analysis of the distal femur revealed significant reductions in trabecular thickness (TbTh), double-labeled surface (dLS/BS), and rate of bone formation to bone volume (BFR/BV) due by HU. AMB animals on the HD diet and HU animals on the LD diet had reduced bone surface normalized to tissue volume (BS/TV) and trabecular number (TbN); however, the HD vitamin E protected against these changes in the HU animals. Our findings suggest that vitamin E supplementation provides modest bone protective effects during skeletal unloading.

Animals↗

A rat model of syngeneic bone marrow transplantation during breast cancer therapy.

The purpose of this study was to develop a breast cancer model in rats, in which myeloablative chemotherapy and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (SBMT) could be evaluated systematically for therapeutic effect. The Wistar-Furth (WF) DMBA-4 breast cancer cell line transplanted into naive WF rats produced rapidly growing tumors that were lethal within 2 months. SBMT was performed following preparation with a regimen (Bu-Cy), consisting of busulfan 16 mg/kg by gastric gavage on days -3 and -2 followed by 250 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide i.p. on day -1. Marrow was prepared from the femurs of donors and infused i.v. into the recipient on day 0. In all, 15 rats treated with Bu-Cy without marrow died, while 22 of 25 transplanted rats survived. In total, 16 rats with measurable tumors showed tumor responses following transplantation, but tumors recurred and survival was minimally prolonged. Of nine rats transplanted before clinical tumors were detected, five became long-term survivors that resisted further tumor challenge. It was concluded that the DMBA-4 breast cancer in WF rats could serve to evaluate SBMT following myeloablative doses of chemotherapy at various tumor loads. At large tumor loads therapy was not curative, but at low tumor burdens cures were possible and resistance to subsequent tumor challenge was demonstrated. The model may be useful for further studies of stem cell infusion in rodent tumor systems.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Down-regulation of renal endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in experimental glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy.

Infection with certain strains of Escherichia coli and endotoxemia results in renal glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized by endothelial swelling and prominent glomerular microthrombus formation. Nitric oxide (NO) is an endogenous biologic modulator with diverse physiologic functions including vasodilation and inhibition of platelet adhesion and aggregation. NO is synthesized from conversion of L-arginine to L-citrulline by a family of NO synthases (NOS), which include constitutive and inducible isoforms. Indirect evidence supports the hypothesis that TMA is associated with depressed intrarenal NO production. However, the effect of TMA on renal tissue NOS expression has not been fully elucidated. We studied rats with TMA induced by iv bolus injection of high dose (20 mg/kg) E. coli endotoxin. Subgroups of six animals each were sacrificed before or at 30, 90, 180, 360, and 720 minutes after the administration of endotoxin. Renal histology and tissue expression of endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthases (eNOS and iNOS) were examined. Additionally, we examined the effect of endotoxin on glomerular NO production, and eNOS and iNOS protein expression in vitro. Glomerular capillary thrombosis developed by 180 minutes after endotoxin administration in approximately half of the animals. The glomeruli without thrombotic lesions apparent by light microscopy disclosed early signs of TMA characterized by endothelial swelling, platelet accumulation/adhesion, and patchy fibrinogen deposition. These morphologic changes were associated with a marked reduction of renal tissue eNOS expression beyond 180 minutes after the endotoxin administration. The fall in eNOS expression was coupled with a significant rise in iNOS protein abundance, which was expressed largely by glomerular circulating neutrophils and endothelial cells, peritubular vascular endothelium, and collecting ducts of cortex and medulla. In vitro incubation of isolated glomeruli with endotoxin also resulted in a marked reduction in eNOS expression and a significant rise in iNOS content. Administration of E. coli endotoxin leads to a sustained fall in renal eNOS expression both in vivo and in vitro. The associated decline in intrarenal endothelial NO production/availability may result in renal vasoconstriction and a hypercoagulative state, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced TMA.

Animals↗

Expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p53 tumor suppressor in dysplastic progression and adenocarcinoma in Barrett esophagus.

BACKGROUND: Barrett esophagus predisposes individuals to esophageal carcinoma, which develops from intermediate stages of tissue dysplasia primarily in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction. Understanding the cellular and molecular events in the progression of Barrett esophagus to adenocarcinoma may contribute to its early diagnosis and treatment. Mutation and overexpression of the tumor suppressor p53 have previously been observed in Barrett high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. The expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase (CdK) inhibitor p21 can be up-regulated by p53, resulting in the down-regulation of cell division at the G(1)/S-phase transition. The current study examined the correlation between the expression of p21 and p53 by quantifying their levels during the progression of dysplasia and adenocarcinoma in Barrett esophageal tissues. METHODS: Barrett esophageal tissue samples that were negative or indefinite for dysplasia, contained dysplasia, and contained adenocarcinoma were examined by immunohistochemistry. Paraffin embedded sections of lining and glandular epithelia were adsorbed with primary murine antibodies against human p21 or p53 followed by horseradish peroxidase secondary antibody. An immunoreactivity score for each primary antibody and section was obtained by multiplying a staining intensity factor by the percent of positively stained cells. RESULTS: Nuclear p21 expression was detectable immunohistochemically in Barrett esophagus that was negative for dysplasia, but it was significantly elevated (P </= 0.05) in tissues scored as indefinite for dysplasia, positive for low grade or high grade dysplasia, and positive for adenocarcinoma. Importantly, p53 expression did not parallel p21 expression. p53 levels were low in the early stages of Barrett dysplasia and were increased in high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. There were no differences in p21 or p53 levels between glandular and lining epithelia in Barrett tissue throughout the histologic stages of neoplastic progression evaluated in this study. CONCLUSIONS: p21 expression in Barrett tissue scored as indefinite for dysplasia or low grade dysplasia was significantly elevated relative to p53 expression. Elevated levels of p21 were also observed in high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma, in which they do not appear to be effective in down-regulating cell division. Analysis of p21 and p53 expression may aid in the evaluation of tissue abnormalities in Barrett esophagus.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prevention of rat mammary carcinoma utilizing leuprolide as an equivalent to oophorectomy.

A clinical trial is currently under way to examine the effectiveness of leuprolide as a breast cancer chemopreventive agent and contraceptive. This trial, as well as similar proposed studies, is based on the assumption that leuprolide is as effective as surgical castration in preventing the onset of mammary tumors; however, this has not been well documented in the DMBA animal model. We directly compared leuprolide and oophorectomy in this model and examined a combined therapy of leuprolide/bromocriptine. Twenty-seven day old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into one of eight groups. All rats received a 20-mg dose of DMBA at the age of 55 days. Group 1 (n = 10), no treatment; Group 2 (n = 9), leuprolide (100 microg/kg/day) for eight weeks beginning four weeks prior to DMBA; Group 3 (n = 10), oophorectomy four weeks prior to DMBA with replacement estrogen beginning four weeks following DMBA. Estrogen replacement was achieved with a 0.05-mg estradiol tablet releasing 0.833 microg/day over a 60-day period. Group 4 (n = 10), leuprolide (100 microg/kg/day) initiated two weeks prior to DMBA and continuing for two weeks following DMBA; Group 5 (n = 9), oophorectomy two weeks prior to DMBA with 0.05 mg of estradiol in depot form, releasing 0.833 microg/day, beginning four weeks following DMBA and continuing until week 16 of the study; Group 6 (n = 10), leuprolide (100 microg/kg/day) beginning two weeks prior to DMBA and continuing for the duration of the experiment; Group 7 (n = 10), leuprolide (100 microg/kg/day) for eight weeks beginning two weeks prior to DMBA; Group 8 (n = 9), leuprolide (100 microg/kg/day) and bromocriptine (83 microg/day) for eight weeks beginning two weeks prior to DMBA. At nineteen weeks (15 weeks post DMBA), animals were sacrificed and autopsies performed. One hundred percent of untreated animals developed tumors. No animals undergoing oophorectomy four weeks prior to DMBA or receiving leuprolide four weeks prior to and simultaneously with DMBA developed tumors. In animals pretreated two weeks prior to DMBA with leuprolide or oophorectomy, each group had one animal with tumor development. No tumors developed in the animals receiving ongoing injections of leuprolide. However, one tumor developed in those receiving leuprolide for the first eight weeks beginning two weeks prior to DMBA administration. One animal receiving both leuprolide and bromocriptine developed one tumor. We conclude that chemical oophorectomy (with leuprolide) is as effective as surgical oophorectomy in inhibiting DMBA induced carcinogenesis.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Shock after blast wave injury is caused by a vagally mediated reflex.

OBJECTIVE: Bomb blast survivors occasionally suffer from profound shock and hypoxemia without signs of external injury. We hypothesize that a vagally mediated reflex such as the pulmonary defensive reflex is the cause of shock from blast wave injury. This study was a prospectively randomized, controlled animal study. METHODS: By using a previously described model of blast wave injury, we randomized rats to one of four groups: control, blast-only, bilateral cervical vagotomy plus atropine 200 microg/kg i.p. only, and bilateral cervical vagotomy plus atropine 200 microg/kg i.p. before blast injury. Cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded for 90 minutes after the blast or until death. RESULTS: Bradycardia, hypotension, and absence of compensatory peripheral vasoconstriction, typically seen in animals subjected to a blast pressure injury, were prevented by bilateral cervical vagotomy and intraperitoneal injection of atropine methyl-bromide. Hypoxia and lung injury were not statistically significant between the blasted groups, suggesting equivalent injury. CONCLUSION: Our data implicate a vagally mediated reflex such as the pulmonary defensive reflex as the cause of shock seen immediately after a blast pressure wave injury.

Animals↗

Expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor mRNA in normal and tumorigenic rodent mammary glands.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) alpha, beta/delta, and gamma are novel nuclear hormone receptors activated by long chain fatty acids and synthetic ligands and which regulate lipid metabolism. Recent studies have detected PPARgamma mRNA in human mammary tumor cell lines. The current study examined the expression profile of PPAR mRNAs in normal and malignant rodent mammary tissues. Virgin murine mammary glands contained PPAR alpha, beta/delta, and gamma mRNAs based on northern blot analysis. The PPARgamma isoform was predominantly gamma2 based on quantitative PCR analysis. During pregnancy and lactation, the PPARalpha and gamma mRNAs decreased while the PPAR beta/delta mRNA remained relatively unchanged. NMuMG cells, an epithelial line derived from normal murine mammary gland, expressed PPAR alpha, beta/delta, and gamma mRNAs, independent of the presence or absence of compounds modifying PPAR activity. In rats, the physiologic expression pattern of PPARgamma mRNA paralleled the murine model; levels were detected in virgin but not lactating mammary glands. In addition, the PPARgamma mRNA was not detected in several histologically distinct 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene induced mammary tumors. These findings suggest that PPARs may regulate mammary epithelial and stromal cell function in response to physiologic or pathologic stimuli that profoundly alter lipid metabolism.

Adipocytes↗

Prevention of DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinomas comparing leuprolide, oophorectomy, and tamoxifen.

Leuprolide, a gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist, is currently being evaluated in a pilot study of premenopausal women for the prevention of breast cancer. However, little data is available regarding the efficacy of leuprolide in experimental animal models of carcinoma when administered prior to the carcinogen. In the present study the capacity of leuprolide to prevent tumor development was evaluated by comparing its pretreatment effects in the DMBA-induced rat mammary carcinoma model to pretreatment with tamoxifen and oophorectomy. Fifty-five day old, female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to one of four groups: 1) no treatment; 2) oophorectomy two weeks prior to DMBA; 3) leuprolide, 40 microg/kg/day; and 4) tamoxifen, 10 mg/kg/week. All animals received four 5 mg doses of DMBA for a total dose of 20 mg. Leuprolide and tamoxifen treatments began two weeks prior to DMBA and ended one week after DMBA administration. Animals were assessed weekly to determine palpable tumor onset, number, size, and volume. At the conclusion of the study (16 weeks), autopsies were performed and tumor tissue was collected for confirmation of malignancy. Seventy-eight percent of the untreated rats developed tumors. No tumors developed in the oophorectomy group, while the number of rats with tumors was significantly reduced (p<0.05) with both leuprolide (30%) and tamoxifen (21.9%) compared to controls (77.8%). There were no significant differences in the tumor number for each tumor-bearing rat or in tumor volume between treated and control groups. Using our dosage regimen, 'chemical oophorectomy' with leuprolide was not as effective as surgical oophorectomy in the prevention of chemical carcinogenesis by DMBA but was comparable to the results obtained with tamoxifen.

9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene↗

Global primary blast injury: a rat model.

Blast wave injury from bombs cause a unique but poorly understood spectrum of injuries. Previous blast wave models involved high energy explosives detonated in an open field without the sophisticated monitoring of laboratory equipment. We characterized a rodent model that produces a global blast injury in a safe laboratory environment. Male rats, prospectively randomized to four groups of ten, were anesthetized and subjected to a blast at 2.0 cm, 2.5 cm, or 3.5 cm from the blast nozzle. The control group received no blast. Intensity of the blast (80-120 psi peak pressure, 1-2 msec duration) was controlled by varying the distance of the blast wave generator to the rat. The rats were monitored for three hours following the blast and then euthanized. Bradycardia was an immediate but transient response to blast injury. Mean arterial pressure was bimodal with severe hypotension occurring immediately after the blast and, again, two to three hours later. The characteristic injuries from a blast wave, such as pulmonary hemorrhage with increased lung weight, intestinal serosal hemorrhage, and hemoperitoneum, were found in the rats subjected to the blast pressure wave. In conclusion, our rodent model accurately reproduces the clinical spectrum of injuries seen in blast victims and will provide a powerful tool for studying the pathophysiology and potential treatments of bomb blast victims.

Analysis of Variance↗

Cardiopulmonary physiology of primary blast injury.

OBJECTIVE: Bomb blast survivors are occasionally found in profound shock and hypoxic without external signs of injury. We investigated the cardiovascular and pulmonary responses of rats subjected to a blast pressure wave. DESIGN: Prospectively randomized, controlled animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were instrumented and subjected to a blast pressure wave of different intensities from a blast wave generator. Cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded for 3 hours or until death. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The cardiovascular response to a blast pressure wave was immediate bradycardia, hypotension, and low cardiac index. Three hours later, the rats developed hypotension, low cardiac index, and low stroke volume. Interestingly, systemic vascular resistance remained unchanged. The pulmonary response was a decreased PaO2 and stable PacO2, suggesting a ventilation-perfusion mismatch from massive pulmonary hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: Blast-induced circulatory shock resulted from immediate myocardial depression without a compensatory vasoconstriction. Hypoxia presumably resulted from a ventilation-perfusion mismatch caused by pulmonary hemorrhage.

Animals↗

A synthetic lipopolysaccharide-binding peptide based on the neutrophil-derived protein CAP37 prevents endotoxin-induced responses in conscious rats.

The lipid A component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Escherichia coli has been implicated as a significant mediator in the development of circulatory and metabolic dysfunction and lethality associated with sepsis. A synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid residues 20 through 44 of the neutrophil-derived 37-kDa cationic antimicrobial protein (CAP37 P(20-44)) possesses lipid A binding characteristics which may be useful in attenuating in vivo responses induced during circumstances of endotoxemia, including sepsis. The E. coli LPS to be used in the in vivo study was shown to be attenuated by CAP37 P(20-44) in a dose-dependent manner in the in vitro reaction with Limulus amoebocyte lysate. Intravenous infusion of CAP37 P(20-44) (1.5 or 3.0 mg/kg of body weight) with E. coli LPS (250 microg/kg over 30 min) into conscious, unrestrained rats prevented LPS-induced hyperdynamic and hypodynamic circulatory shock, hyperlactacidemia, and leukopenia in a dose-related fashion. CAP37 P(20-44) (0.2, 1.0, and 5.0 mg/kg) administered intravenously to conscious, actinomycin D-sensitized rats following a lethal dose of LPS neutralized LPS toxicity, resulting in dose-dependent 7-day survival rates of 30, 50, and 80%, respectively. CAP37 P(20-44) (5.0 mg/kg) significantly inhibited the endotoxin-induced increase in circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha in sensitized rats. These data demonstrate that CAP37 P(20-44) has the capacity to abolish in vivo biological responses to LPS that are relevant to human sepsis and to significantly neutralize the toxicity of circulating E. coli LPS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Dose-response effect of in vivo administration of endotoxin on polymorphonuclear leukocytes oxidative burst.

In vitro, endotoxin primes polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) to respond with a greater oxidative burst. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the in vivo effect of a wide range of single endotoxin bolus doses using a rat model. PMNs were subsequently challenged in vitro with phorbol ester to produce reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI). Flow cytometric determination of ROI production by large doses induced a decrease in ROI production by the few PMNs that remained in the circulation. By 6 h after injection, ROI production had returned to basal levels after a high dose, and was still increasing after a low dose. Neutropenia occurred immediately after endotoxin injection. After 6 h, PMN counts returned to almost normal levels with a high dose, but rebound neutrophilia occurred with a small dose. In contrast to in vitro studies, in vivo injection showed a response pattern that varied widely with dose and time of observation.

Animals↗

Development of circulatory and metabolic shock following transient portal triad occlusion.

Liver ischemia is purposefully induced by portal triad occlusion (PTO) in several clinical situations including liver surgery for trauma, tumor, and transplantation. Despite significant morbidity from PTO, the hemodynamic and metabolic effects of PTO have not been evaluated relative to duration of ischemia. We investigated this using a total hepatic ischemia model. Rats received isoflurane anesthesia, carotid artery and jugular vein cannulation, and serial measurements of cardiac output (CO), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), central venous pressure (CVP), stroke volume (SV), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), superior mesenteric artery blood flow (SMAF), intestinal vascular resistance (IVR), pH, pCO2, pO2, lactate, glucose, hematocrit (HCT), white blood cell count (WBC), and total neutrophils. Each group received 0, 15, 30, 45, or 60 min of PTO followed by 2 hr of reperfusion. All sham ischemia animals remained hemodynamically stable throughout the study. However, in the ischemic groups, there were significant time-dependent decreases in MAP, HR, CO, CVP, SV, SMAF, and pH, and increases in SVR, IVR, HCT, and lactate, while pCO2, pO2, glucose, and WBC remained stable. All of the ischemic animals survived except those that received 60 min of PTO. In this group, all of the animals survived the ischemic period; however, only one animal survived beyond 60 min of reperfusion. These data demonstrate a time-dependent circulatory and metabolic shock following PTO heralded by intestinal venous pooling and loss of intravascular fluid, and culminating in death. Careful hemodynamic monitoring and restoration of blood volume in the trauma patient may reduce morbidity and mortality.

Animals↗

A new model for inducing total hepatic ischemia while preventing circulatory collapse secondary to splanchnic vascular congestion.

Animal models used to study liver ischemia are limited by the lethal effect of splanchnic venous engorgement from portal triad occlusion (PTO). We compared a passive porto-systemic shunt (PSS) to a pump-driven PSS. The passive and pumped PSS groups (n = 6) received 60 min of PTO followed by 2 h of reperfusion. A control group received all interventions, but no PTO, and remained stable throughout. During PTO, severe circulatory shock with intestinal ischemia occurred in the passive group, while the pumped group remained stable. During reperfusion, both shunted groups experienced varying degrees of metabolic acidosis with decreases in cardiac index, stroke volume, superior mesenteric artery flow, and increases in systemic and intestinal vascular resistance. The mortality rate for the passive group was 83% vs. 0% for the pumped group. These results suggest that pumped PSS prevents splanchnic engorgement and allows for reproducible, isolated total hepatic ischemia in vivo.

Animals↗