Beneficial effect of naloxone on in vitro tissue metabolism after hemorrhagic shock.

ABSTRACT

A rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock is used in assessing the use of naloxone as an adjunct in the treatment of hemorrhagic shock. In vitro oxidation rates of labelled glucose are used as parameters of early tissue damage. Naloxone, given as an adjunct to volume replacement, significantly improves the in vitro capabilities of lung and liver tissues, but has no effect on kidney cortex. Changes in MABP are not affected by naloxone in this rabbit model, and serum lysosomal enzyme activity is not significantly improved. It is proposed that naloxone exerts some of its beneficial effect at the cellular level.