Breakdown of adenine nucleotides, formation of oxygen free radicals, and early markers of cellular injury in endotoxic shock.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of shock on muscle and plasma adenine nucleotide and creatine pools and their metabolites, and to identify early markers of cellular injury in shock.


METHODS
Surgical research laboratory, Kuwait and UAE.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
19 New Zealand rabbits.


METHODS
15 rabbits were injected with Escherichia coli endotoxin, and an additional 4 rabbits acted as controls.


METHODS
Blood and muscle energy metabolites, platelet count, arterial blood gas tensions, and arterial pressure were followed until the animals died.


RESULTS
Five minutes after injection of endotoxin muscle ATP, creatine phosphate, and total adenine purine concentration decreased. This decrease was later reversed, but again decline to a critical level in the terminal phase. Loss of the muscle creatine pool indicated cellular damage after 3 hours. Plasma hypoxanthine, creatine, and lactate concentrations increased continuously throughout the study.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoxanthine formation is a possible source of oxygen free radicals in shock. The rise of hypoxanthine, creatine, and lactate concentrations in plasma during septic shock may reflect early high energy nucleotide failure, membrane injury, and anaerobic metabolism, respectively.
Jabs
C M
CM
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Kuwait.
Neglen
P
P
Eklof
B
B
D000225:Adenine / Q000378:metabolism; D000227:Adenine Nucleotides / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D003401:Creatine / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004731:Endotoxins; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D007042:Hypoxanthines / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010725:Phosphocreatine / Q000378:metabolism; D010976:Platelet Count; D011817:Rabbits; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
D000227:Adenine Nucleotides; D015415:Biomarkers; D004731:Endotoxins; D005609:Free Radicals; D007042:Hypoxanthines; D007773:Lactates; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D010725:Phosphocreatine; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D019271:Hypoxanthine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000225:Adenine; D003401:Creatine; D010100:Oxygen