Comments to NO in Trauma

Abstract

I would like to make some comments on nitrite/nitrate production in baboons. We think that the nitrite/nitrate production is dependent on the concentration of endotoxin in blood, which can either be translocated during hemorrhagic shock or released as a result of live Escherichia coli infusions. Therefore we established two different animal models in baboons. In the acute trauma model a decrease in the flow of the superior mesenteric artery occurs during the hypotensive period. Acidosis of the gut wall could be demonstrated via indirect tonometric methods. The low gut pHi improves during the resuscitation period. With this model we could clearly show the translocation of bacteria during traumatic shock in nonhuman primates. The translocation is accompanied by endotoxemia in this model. In addition, we developed a subchronic model over 72 h to simulate the posttraumatic course in patients. During this 72 h period hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were monitored regularly and blood samples taken.