Reflex sympathetic activation induces acute insulin resistance in the human forearm.

Inferences about the association between sympathetic overactivity and insulin resistance have been drawn from the infusion of sympathomimetic amines in supraphysiological doses. We used the isolated perfused human forearm to investigate the effect of reflex-induced sympathetic nervous system activation on the peripheral utilization of glucose in the skeletal muscles of 14 healthy men. Local hyperinsulinemia in the forearm (132 +/- 25 microunits/mL for 90 minutes) induced a significant increase in the utilization of glucose from baseline (16.4 +/- 3.1 mg.dL-1.min-1 per 100 mL forearm volume) to a plateau (85.7 +/- 15.1 mg.dL-1.min-1 per 100 mL forearm volume) between 40 and 60 minutes of insulin infusion but did not alter the utilization of oxygen. Reflex sympathetic nervous system activation was elicited by unloading of cardiopulmonary receptors with bilateral thigh cuff inflation to 40 mm Hg between 60 and 90 minutes of insulin infusion. Blood flow in the forearm was significantly decreased with inflation of thigh cuffs (average decrease of 19%, p < 0.0001). As a result of thigh cuff inflation, there was a reduction in the utilization of glucose (a decrease of 23%, p < 0.02), whereas oxygen utilization was unchanged. We find that an increase in sympathetic nervous system activation (within the normal range of physiological responses) can cause acute insulin resistance in the forearm of healthy volunteers. The reflex caused no change in oxygen utilization, but the same stimulus elicited a decrease in the utilization of glucose.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blood pressure elevation during hindquarter compression in dogs is neurogenic.

In a previous paper we reported that in pigs and dogs hindlimb compression causes large blood pressure increases which appear to be neurogenic. The present studies explore the utility of this non-invasive pressor model by determining the duration of the blood pressure increase, and by providing definitive evidence that the pressor response is neurogenic. All studies were done in chloralose-anaesthetized mongrel dogs. Prolonged experiments were performed in five experimental and four control dogs. Pressor responses could be elicited over a period of 9 h. The blood pressure increase during the 9th h was +30 +/- (s.e.m.) 6/32 +/- 5 mmHg (P less than 0.001 by paired t-test). The blood pressure in control animals did not change. Short-term hormonal and haemodynamic responses were analysed in 10 dogs. After 20 min hindlimb compression, mean blood pressure was elevated by 41.2 +/- 8.0 mmHg (P less than 0.001), plasma norepinephrine increased by 717 +/- 133 pg/ml (P less than 0.01) and plasma renin rose by 3.4 +/- 1.0 ng/ml/h (P less than 0.05). The pressure elevation was due to a 37% increase in total vascular resistance (P less than 0.01). Spinal anaesthesia at L4-L5 level in nine dogs caused a 70% reduction of blood pressure increase during lower body compression (P less than 0.001) and totally abolished plasma renin and norepinephrine increases. The infrarenal aorta and lower vena cava were occluded in eight dogs. After the ligation, there was a small rise in mean blood pressure (13.1 +/- 3.7 mmHg, P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution dynamics of perfluorocarbon delivery to the lungs: an intact rabbit model.

Motivated by the goal of understanding how to most homogeneously fill the lungs with perfluorocarbon for liquid ventilation, we investigate the transport of liquid instilled into the lungs using an intact rabbit model. Perfluorocarbon is instilled into the trachea of the ventilated animal. Radiographic images of the perfluorocarbon distribution are obtained at a rate of 30 frames/s during the filling process. Image analysis is used to quantify the liquid distribution (center of mass, spatial standard deviation, skewness, kurtosis, and indicators of homogeneity) as time progresses. We compare the distribution dynamics in supine animals to those in upright animals for three constant infusion rates of perfluorocarbon: 15, 40, and 60 ml/min. It is found that formation of liquid plugs in large airways, which is affected by posture and infusion rate, can result in a more homogeneous liquid distribution than gravity drainage alone. The supine posture resulted in more homogeneous filling of the lungs than did upright posture, in which the lungs tend to fill in the inferior regions first. Faster instillation of perfluorocarbon results in liquid plugs forming in large airways and, consequently, more uniform distribution of perfluorocarbon than slower instillation rates in the upright animals.

Hemodynamic effect of a low-resistance artificial lung in series with the native lungs of sheep.

BACKGROUND: An artificial lung with 1 to 6 month work life could act as a bridge to transplantation. A pumpless artificial lung has been developed. METHODS: The artificial lung was placed in series with the native lungs of adult sheep. Hemodynamics were observed, as the right ventricle generated flow through the device. Through a left thoracotomy, two 20-mm grafts were anastomosed in an end-to-side fashion to the pulmonary artery. The grafts were externalized, and directed flow through the chest wall, to the extracorporeal lung. The animals were recovered, weaned from the ventilator, and when standing, flow was diverted through the device. RESULTS: Five of 7 animals survived 24 hours with 75% to 100% of the cardiac output diverted through the device. All animals were active, with interest in food and water, and able to stand. CONCLUSIONS: The right ventricle perfused the artificial lung with 75% to 100% of the cardiac output for 24 hours. This device demonstrates the feasibility of a pumpless pulmonary assist device relying on the right ventricle for perfusion.

Effect of blood flow rate on thrombogenesis in a rabbit extracorporeal circulation model.

Blood flow is believed to affect the thrombogenicity of extracorporeal circulation (ECC). The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between blood flow and thrombogenicity in a rabbit model of ECC. Rabbits were anesthetized and systematically heparinized. Bilateral jugular cannulation was performed, and the animals were placed on venovenous ECC. The circuits were composed of 1 m of 1/4 inch size surgical grade polyvinylchloride (PVC) tubing. ECC was maintained for 4 hours. Three experimental groups were studied: a high flow group (n=7; flow rate: 30 ml/min/Kg), low flow group (n=7; flow rate: 10 ml/mg/Kg), and no ECC group (n=7). Platelet count, fibrinogen concentration, PaO2/FiO2, and postmortem findings were evaluated. Platelet consumption was higher with high flow, and fibrinogen consumption was higher with low flow.