METHYLPREDNISOLONE IN THE PREVENTION OF CEREBRAL HEMODYNAMIC AND METABOLIC DISORDERS DURING ENDOTOXIN-SHOCK IN THE DOG

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 148  (3) , 361-366
Abstract
Steroid pre-treatment and subsequent post-treatment prevent cerebral hemodynamic and metabolic alterations during 4 h of Escherichia coli endotoxin [etox] shock in the dog. No data are provided on how the steroid prevents an increase in cerebral vascular resistance. While active vasodilation, .alpha.-adrenergic blocking properties, or both, were attributed to glucocorticoids, recent evidence does not support these findings during normal conditions or circulatory shock. If the increase in cerebral vascular resistance is passive, steroids may help by preventing platelet aggregation, cell disruption and subsequent microvascular plugging. Fluids administered i.v., e.g., dextran-saline solution, while in themselves probably not important to survival, may augment cerebral blood flow during shock through a blood dilutional effect. Steroids may act to permit normal, long-term cerebral auto-regulation, which is apparently impaired during etox shock in the dog.

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