Fluid resuscitation therapy in endotoxemic hamsters improves survival and attenuates capillary perfusion deficits and inflammatory responses by a mechanism related to nitric oxide.

Background: Relative hypovolemia is frequently found in early stages of severe sepsis and septic shock and prompt and aggressive fluid therapy has become standard of care improving tissue perfusion and patient outcome. This paper investigates the role of the nitric oxide pathway on beneficial microcirculatory effects of fluid resuscitation.

Methods: After skinfold chamber implantation procedures and endotoxemia induction by intravenous Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide administration (2 mg x kg(-1)), male golden Syrian hamsters were fluid resuscitated and then sequentially treated with L-Nω-Nitroarginine and L-Arginine hydrochloride (LPS/FR/LNNA group).