Dopexamine maintains intestinal villus blood flow during endotoxemia in rats

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Abstract
To determine the influence of dopexamine, a synthetic catecholamine ligand for dopaminergic and beta2-adrenergic receptors, on alterations of the intestinal villus microcirculation in a model of normotensive endotoxemia. Randomized, controlled trial. Experimental laboratory. Twenty-one male Wistar rats. Rats were treated with a continuous infusion of dopexamine (2.5 micro gram/kg/min; n equals 7; group A) or 0.9% saline (n equals 7; group B) during a study period of 120 mins. Both groups were given endotoxin (Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide; 1.5 mg/kg iv) over 60 mins. Animals in the control group (n equals 7; group C) received a volume-equivalent infusion of 0.9% saline. Total volume substitution in all groups was 15 mL/kg/hr. Blood flow in the intestinal villi of the distal ileum was determined using in vivo videomicroscopy at baseline, and 60 and 120 mins after the endotoxin challenge. These blood flow determinations were done by an observer who was unaware of the previous treatment of the animals. In addition, mean arterial pressure was monitored at baseline, and 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, and 120 mins later. Dopexamine maintains intestinal villus arterial perfusion and prevents the vasoconstriction in villus arterioles during early normotensive endotoxemia. Therefore, further studies in critically ill patients will have to determine whether the early prophylactic use of dopexamine can limit gut ischemia and prevent the development of multiple organ failure.