Opposite effects of prostacyclin on hepatic blood flow and oxygen consumption after burn and sepsis.

Background: Burn and sepsis are associated with hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury. This study examines the hypothesis that postburn treatment with the vasodilator prostacyclin would be beneficial for hepatic perfusion and oxygenation.

Methods: Female pigs (n = 18, 20-25 kg) underwent laparotomy, during which ultrasonic flow probes were placed on the portal vein and the common hepatic artery.

Hepatic blood flow and oxygen consumption after burn and sepsis.

Background: Alteration in the hepatic circulation after burn and in sepsis seems to be an essential component in the development of multiple organ failure.

Methods: Female pigs (n = 12, 20-25 kg) were instrumented with ultrasonic flow probes on the portal vein and the common hepatic artery. Catheters were inserted in the superior mesenteric and left hepatic veins.

Trauma- and sepsis-induced hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury: role of angiotensin II.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, is involved in the occurrence of hepatic ischemia after burn and sepsis, and that administration of angiotensin II antagonist DuP753 would ameliorate this process.

Design: Randomized animal study.

Setting: University laboratory, investigational intensive care unit, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.

Angiotensin II inhibitor DuP753 attenuates burn- and endotoxin-induced gut ischemia, lipid peroxidation, mucosal permeability, and bacterial translocation.

Objective: To investigate the role of angiotensin II as a mediator of burn- and sepsis-induced gut ischemia and reperfusion injury and to determine whether treatment with the angiotensin II inhibitor DuP753 can attenuate mucosal injury and bacterial translocation in a burn/endotoxemia porcine model.

Summary Background Data: Thermal injuries and endotoxemia have been shown to induce ischemia and reperfusion injury to the intestine, leading to increased mucosal permeability and bacterial translocation. Angiotensin II, the production of which has been reported to increase after burn, is thought to be one of the primary mediators of postburn mesenteric vasoconstriction.

Fat metabolism during high-intensity exercise in endurance-trained and untrained men.

To determine whether trained individuals rely more on fat than untrained persons during high-intensity exercise, six endurance-trained men and six untrained men were studied during 30 minutes of exercise at 75% to 80% maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). The rates of appearance (Ra) and disappearance (Rd) of glycerol and free fatty acids (FFAs) were determined using [1,1,2,3,3-2H]glycerol and [1-13C]palmitate, respectively, whereas the overall rate of fatty acid oxidation was determined using indirect calorimetry. During exercise, the whole-body rate of lipolysis (ie, glycerol Ra) was higher in the trained group (7.