甲基强的松龙在胸椎管狭窄症围手术期的应用

[目的]探讨大剂量甲基强目的松龙(MP)在胸椎管狭窄症患者围手术期预防性应用目的效果.[方法]对2003年7月～2007年12月40例胸椎管狭窄症采用单纯后路胸椎板切除术患者进行回顾性研究.根据围手术期是否应用MP分为两组:MP组,21例,术中脊髓减压前30 min以MP30 mg/kg冲击治疗(15 min内滴完),45 min后以5.4 mg/(kg·h)维持用23 h;对照组,19例,术中脊髓减压前给予地塞米松(DX)15 mg静滴术后10 mg/d静滴,连续3 d.术后3 d、7 d、3个月、12个月,按JOA脊髓功能评分标准评定神经功能改善率(术后评分-术前评分)/(17-术前评分)×100%],观察并发症.[结果]术后3 d时MP组与对照组神经功能改善率分别为(33.54±10.01)%、 (28.29±8.73)%,有显著性差异(P＜0.05),术后7 d时分别为(58.34±8.98)%、 (49.34±8.27)%,有显著性差异(P＜0.05).术后3个月及12个月两组患者神经功能改率无显著性差异(P＞0.05).对照组有5例患者术后即刻出现神经功能障碍加重,而MP组未出现类似病例.[结论]围手术期应用大剂量MP对胸椎管狭窄症患者目的脊髓功能有保护作用,提高手术目的安全性,未增加严重不良反应目的发生.     

甲基强的松龙在胸椎管减压手术中的应用

目的探讨甲基强的松龙（MP）在胸椎手术围手术期应用的价值。方法对20例胸椎管狭窄和胸椎畸形手术患者进行回顾性研究。根据NASCIS-II方案,所有患者手术减压前开始MP冲击治疗,24h后停药。评价手术前后及随访期间神经功能恢复情况,记录围手术期MP相关并发症的情况。结果本组20例患者术后呈不同程度的恢复,未出现症状加重者。无感染、心血管事件并发症出现,发生消化道反应1例。结论胸椎高危手术患者围手术期短期应用冲击量MP,具有预防脊髓继发性损伤的作用,并发症并不增加。     

胸椎管狭窄症术后脊髓缺血再灌注损伤的临床分析

目的 探讨胸椎管狭窄症患者手术后出现脊髓功能受损的原因,总结脊髓手术后缺血再灌注损伤(spinal cord ischemic reperfusion injury,SCII)[1]的预处理和早期治疗方法.方法 回顾性分析我科2年内收治的32例胸椎管狭窄症患者术后脊髓恢复情况,出现脊髓损伤患者的临床资料及处理方法,并对其预后进行客观评估.结果 2年内在收治并手术的胸椎管狭窄症患者中,手术减压前给予1克甲基强的松龙预防.5例患者于手术后出现不同程度的脊髓功能受损,即刻给予大剂量甲基强的松龙冲击治疗、脱水药及神经营养药,1例患者症状改善不理想,2例患者症状部分改善,生活可自理,2例患者基本恢复正常.结论 胸椎管狭窄症患者手术后出现的脊髓功能受损可能是脊髓缺血再灌注损伤引起,再灌注损伤在胸椎管狭窄症患者中较多见,但出现严重监床症状的少见,诊断有一定的困难.妥善的处理可望改善患者的生存质量.     

经颅电刺激运动诱发电位在胸椎管狭窄症手术中的应用价值

背景:经颅电刺激运动诱发电位(MEP)因其可即时反应术中脊髓功能状态已广泛应用于脊柱手术中,尤以脊柱矫形、颈椎手术多见,而有关胸椎管狭窄症手术中应用MEP的报道相对较少。目的目的:分析胸椎管狭窄症手术中MEP神经功能监测的应用价值和监测效能。方法方法:回顾性分析2012年10月至2016年7月我院进行的47例58次胸椎管减压手术。手术方式主要为后路扩大全椎板切除术、经椎间孔胸椎椎间融合术(TTIF),术中应用MEP进行神经功能监测。监测采用经颅电刺激C3、C4位点,记录外周肌源性MEP。报警阳性诊断标准:排除系统性因素及麻醉相关因素外,与高危操作(减压、cage置入、椎弓根螺钉置入等)相关的波形快速丢失超过80%。结果结果:58次胸椎管减压手术中成功获取可靠术前波形并具有监测价值者47次,检出率为81.0%。真阳性结果3例,其中1例经及时处理后术后无神经功能障碍;2例出现暂时性神经功能障碍,经甲泼尼龙冲击治疗后逐渐恢复。假阳性结果 1例。未出现假阴性结果。MEP监测的敏感度和特异度分别为100%和97.7%,阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为75%和100%。2例患者术后出现迟发性脊髓损伤,考虑脊髓再灌注损伤,经甲泼尼龙冲击治疗后神经功能逐渐恢复。结论结论:胸椎管狭窄症手术难度大,脊髓损伤风险高,术中应用MEP监测能为手术提供客观的安全评估指标,但术后仍需警惕迟发性脊髓损伤的发生。     

严重脊髓受压患者围手术期应用甲基强地松龙的临床观察

目的:观察严重脊髓受压患者围手术期应用甲基强的松龙(MP)预防和治疗脊髓神经功能损害的效果。方法:2002年5月～2005年5月,选择严重颈或胸椎管狭窄症患者(压迫超过椎管的1/2)51例,采用一期后路,或二期后、前路椎管减压手术治疗,减压前30min给予MP1000mg冲击(用药组),如患者手术后4～6h以内出现脊髓损伤平面上升或加重的情况,排除血肿压迫等其他原因后,按照NASCISⅡ提出的脊髓损伤8h以内的冲击治疗方案执行;其余患者术后第1天起MP按照200mg、200mg、80mg、80mg逐日减量,共应用4d。同期15例同组手术医师治疗的同类型患者作为对照组(未使用MP作为预防和治疗手段,其余处理相同)。采用JOA评分法对术前、术后7d、术后1个月及术后1年时两组患者的脊髓功能进行评分。结果:两组患者无围手术期死亡病例,全部病例随访0.5～3.5年。术前JOA评分用药组为5.5±2.9分,对照组为5.2±3.3分,无显著性差异(P>0.05)。术后各时间点两组JOA评分差异有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:在严重脊髓受压患者的围手术期,采用MP预防和治疗脊髓神经功能损害效果可靠。     

大剂量甲基强的松龙在胸椎管狭窄症围手术期应用的效果观察

目的:探讨大剂量甲基强的松龙(MP)在胸椎管狭窄症患者围手术期应用的效果。方法:84例胸椎管狭窄症患者均行椎板切除减压术,并将其分为2组,A组,围手术期应用大剂量MP组,36例,术中进椎管前静脉给予MP 30mg/kg,15min滴完;术后静脉应用MP(80mg/d)3d。B组,围手术期应用氟美松治疗组,48例,术后静脉应用氟美松(10mg/d)3d。比较两组患者手术前后的神经功能变化情况(JOA评分17分法),并对计量资料行t检验。结果:术前JOA评分A组为8.58±2.62分,B组为9.12±2.81分,两组间无显著性差异(P>0.05)。术后1周时A组为13.65±2.16分,B组为11.12±2.36分;术后3个月时A组为14.11±2.21分,B组为12.62±2.35分,两组间比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。B组有9例患者术后即刻出现神经功能障碍加重,而A组未出现类似病例。结论:围手术期应用大剂量MP对胸椎管狭窄症患者的脊髓功能有保护作用。     

甲基强的松龙冲击疗法对手术治疗脊髓型颈椎病近期疗效的影响

目的探讨术中应用大剂量甲基强的松龙(MP)对严重脊髓型颈椎病患者脊髓减压术后近期神经功能恢复的影响.方法2001年6月至2004年12月行前路减压植骨内固定的中重度脊髓型颈椎病患者124例,影像图片证实脊髓横断受压面积≥25%.根据术中是否使用MP分为两组MP组60例,术中脊髓减压前30min左右给予MP 20mg/kg快速静滴,术后20%甘露醇250ml静滴,连续维持3d;对照组64例,术中脊髓减压前30min左右给予地塞米松20mg快速静滴,术后给予20%甘露醇250ml+地塞米松10mg静滴,每日1次,维持3d.观察患者术后1周内脊髓功能恢复情况,按JOA脊髓功能评分标准评定神经功能恢复率,并统计其并发症.结果术后第1天和第3天MP组神经功能恢复率稍好,但两组差异无显著性(P＞0.05);术后第7天,MP组和对照组脊髓神经功能恢复率分别为75.50%±6.18%和61.02%±6.30%,两组存在显著性差异(P＜0.05).两组与糖皮质激素相关的并发症无差异.结论对严重脊髓型颈椎病患者术中脊髓减压前应用大剂量MP冲击治疗能明显提高患者术后近期神经功能恢复率,且不增加与糖皮质激素相关并发症的发生.     

"微创"操作减压术治疗胸椎管狭窄症

目的：探讨后路“微创”操作减压术治疗胸椎管狭窄症的疗效。方法：对68例胸椎管狭窄疗患者采用“削薄”、“打磨”、“漂浮”、“蚕食”等微创操作行后路椎板切除椎管减压术，术后随访1-8年(平均20个月)，根据脊髓功能评分进行疗效综合评价。结果：68例患者中优27例(39．7％)，良24例(35．2％)，可10例(14．7％)，差7例(10．2％)，优良率为75．0％。疗效差的7例患者中2例为脊髓压迫时间过长导致不可逆性脊髓损伤；3例为外院术后疗效不佳于我院行二次手术；2例为胸椎管狭窄合并颈脊髓压迫症患者。结论：后路“微创”操作减压术是治疗胸椎管狭窄症的一种安全、有效、可行的手术方法．     

甲基强的松龙在脊柱转移瘤所致恶性脊髓压迫症围手术期的应用

目的：观察围手术期应用甲基强的松龙（MP）对脊柱转移瘤所致恶性脊髓压迫症患者脊髓神经功能恢复的作用。方法：2002年1月～2007年5月，在我院手术治疗的脊柱转移瘤所致恶性脊髓压迫症患者22例，13例采用一期后路椎管减压、肿瘤姑息切除手术治疗，减压前30min给予MP1000mg冲击（用药组），术后第1天起予MP80～120mg静脉点滴，每日2次，共应用3～5d；同期9例未使用MP而其余处理相同的同类型患者作为对照组。对术前、术后1d、术后1周和术后1个月时两组患者的脊髓功能进行ASIA评分。结果：两组患者无围手术期死亡病例，全部病例随访2～27个月，用药组与对照组术前的ASIA评分无显著性差异（P〉0．05），术后1d、1周和1个月时两组ASIA评分有显著性差异（P〈0．05）。结论：对于脊柱转移瘤所致恶性脊髓压迫症患者，围手术期应用MP有利于保护脊髓神经功能。     

后路开门式椎板切除治疗退变性胸椎管狭窄症

[目的]探讨治疗退变性胸椎管狭窄症的手术方式及其安全性.[方法]2002年1月～2007年1月收治退变性胸椎管狭窄症患者25例,手术采用后路开门式椎板切除减压,对患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析.[结果]经平均2年6个月随访,本组患者术后无1例症状加重,平均手术时问1.9 h,平均输血量200 ml,根据Epstein标准评定:优13例,良9例,可3例;优良率88%.[结论]后路开门式椎板切除减压可有效地避免脊髓损伤,是退变性胸椎管狭窄症安全、有效的治疗方法.     

Vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction during major abdominal surgery

Background : We investigated the vasopressor hormone response following mesenteric traction (MT) with hypotension due to prostacyclin (PGI₂) release in patients undergoing abdominal surgery with a combined general and epidural anesthesia. Methods : In a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study we administered 400 mg ibuprofen (i.v.) in 42 patients scheduled for abdominal surgery. General anesthesia was combined with epidural anesthesia (T4-L1). Before as well as 5, 15, 30, 45, and 90 min after MT we recorded plasma osmolality, hemodynamics and measured 6-keto-PGFlα (stabile metabolite of PGI₂), TXB₂ (stabile metabolite of thromboxane A₂) active renin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) plasma concentrations by radioimmunoassay. Catecholamine levels were assessed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection. Results : Following MT, arterial hypotension occurred along with a substantial PGI₂ release. This was completely abolished by ibuprofen administration. Although plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF_1α (1133 (708) vs. 60 (3) ng/L, median (median absolute deviation), P=0.0001, placebo vs. ibuprofen) remained significantly elevated, blood pressure was restored within 30 min after MT in the placebo group. At the same point in time plasma concentrations of TXB² (164 (87) vs. 58 (1) ng/L, P=0.0001), epinephrine (46 (33) vs. 14 (6) ng/L, P=0.001), AVP (41 ± (18) vs. 12 (7) ng/L, P=0.0004), and active renin (27 (12) vs. 12 (4) ng/L, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in placebo-treated patients. Conclusion : Under combined general and epidural anesthesia arterial hypotension following MT due to endogenous PGI₂ release is associated with enhanced release of AVP, active renin, epinephrine and thromboxane A₂, presumably contributing to hemodynamic stability within 30 min after MT.     

Microspheres Based Detoxification System: A New Method in Convective Blood Purification

Abstract: A variety of protein-bound or hydrophobic substances, accumulating as a result of pathologic conditions such as exogenous or endogenous intoxications, are removed poorly by conventional detoxification methods because of low accessibility (hemodialysis), insufficient adsorption capabilities (hemosorption), low efficiency (peritoneal dialysis), or economic limitations (high-volume plasmapheresis). Combining advantages of existing methods with microspheric technology, a module-based system was designed. Major operating parameters of the latter can be modified to allow for adjustment to individual clinical situations. An extracorporeal blood circuit including a plasmafilter is combined with a secondary high-velocity plasma circuit driven by a centrifugal pump. Different microspheric adsorbers can be combined in one circuit or applied in sequence. Thus, a prolonged treatment can be tailored using specially designed selective adsorber materials. Comparing this system with existing methods (high-flux hemodialysis, molecular adsorbent recycling system), results from our in vitro studies and animal experiments demonstrate the superior efficiency of substance removal.     

Is the recovery profile of mivacurium independent of the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with normal plasma cholinesterase activity?

Background: The duration of action of muscle relaxants is poorly correlated to the rate of decay of their plasma concentration. The plasma concentration of mivacurium may rapidly decrease below its active concentration because of the extensive hydrolysis of mivacurium. By inflating a tourniquet on one upper limb for 3 min after the administration of atracurium, mivacurium or vecuronium, we studied the influence of the initial decline of their plasma concentration on their effect. Methods: In 50 patients anaesthetised with thiopental, isoflurane and fentanyl, the effect of bolus doses of 0.15 or 0.25 mg . kg^?1 mivacurium (MIV 15, MIV 25), 0.3 or 0.5 mg . kg^?1 atracurium (ATR 30, ATR 50) and 0.06 or 0.1 mg . kg^?1 vecuronium (VEC 06, VEC 10) were measured on both arms (evoked response of the adductor pollicis to train-of-four stimulation every 12 s), a tourniquet being applied on one arm just before and during 3 min after the muscle relaxant bolus. Results: Tourniquet inflation of 3 min almost abolished the neuromuscular effect of mivacurium. In the vecuronium groups and in the ATR 50 group, tourniquet inflation did not modify the maximum degree of depression of the twitch response. Also, the duration of action of vecuronium was unaffected by the tourniquet. In the ATR 30 group, times to return of the twitch response to 25% (duration 25%) and 75% (duration 75%) of control response were significantly shorter in the cuffed arm, 23 min vs 27 min, and 41 min vs 45 min, respectively. In the ATR 50 group, only duration 25% was significantly shorter in the cuffed arm (41 min vs 45 min). Conclusion: The results suggest that the rate of decline of the plasma concentration of mivacurium is so rapid, that a very low and almost clinically ineffective concentration is present as soon as 3 min after its administration. The results also indicate that the recovery from a mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade is not influenced by the rate of decay of its plasma concentration in patients with genotypically normal plasma cholinesterase.     

Membranes in Artificial Organs

Abstract: Membrane processes play a pivotal and enabling role in modern replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure and in the management of immunologic diseases. In fact, virtually all contemporary extracorporeal blood purification methods employ membrane devices, and the next generation of artificial organs and tissue engineering therapies are almost certain to be similarly grounded in membrane technology. In this short essay, we comment on the similarities and differences among synthetic membranes and their natural counterparts and also provide a critical overview of the demographics and technology of hemodialysis, hemofiltration, apheresis, oxygenation, and emerging membrane technologies and applications.     

Bariatric Surgery in Some "Central and East-European (former Eastern bloc)"Countries - Current Status and Prediction for the Next Millennium

Background: Obesity is increasing globallly, including in the formerly "Eastern Bloc" countries. Methods: A survey was made of obesity and bariatric surgery. Results: In the 8 East and Central European countries studied, with total population 300 million, roughly 43% of the population was overweight (BMI 25-30), 23% obese (BMI > 30), with about 15 million people morbidly obese (BMI > 40). From 0-10 morbidly obese individuals/100,000/year undergo bariatric surgery. Conclusion: Most countries were found to provide inadequate treatment for obesity.The majority of the morbidly obese are not treated effectively. However, health-care awareness of obesity and bariatric surgeons are slowly increasing.     

Dilemma of Membrane Biocompatibility and Reuse

Abstract: Numerous articles have been published on the multiple use of dialyzers and on the effect of different reprocessing chemicals and techniques on the dialyzer biocompatibility and performance. The results often appear contradictory, especially those comparing standard biocompatibility parameters. Despite this confusion, a discerning review of the published works allows certain limited conclusions to be drawn. Reprocessing of used hemodialyzers changes the biocompatibility profile of a dialyzer as defined by the parameters complement activation. leukopenia, and cytokine release. The effect of reprocessing depends on the chemicals and reprocessing technique applied and also on the type of membrane polymer being subjected to the reprocessing procedure. Reports of pyrogenic reactions indicate that the flux of the membrane also influences how suitable it is for safe reuse. An increased risk of allergic and pyrogenic reactions appears to be associated with dialyzer reuse. Furthermore, there has been a lack of investigations into the immunologic effect of the layer of adsorbed and chemically altered proteins that remains on the inner surface of reprocessed dialyzers. We conclude that the clinical benefit of dialyzer reuse cannot be generally accepted from a biocompatibility point of view.     

Influence of dopexamine hydrochloride on haemodynamics and regulators of circulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery

Background: Catecholaminergic support is often used to improve haemodynamics in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Dopexamine is a synthetic vasoactive catecholamine with beneficial microcirculatory properties. Methods: The influence of perioperative administration of dopexamine on cardiorespiratory data and important regulators of macro- and microcirculation were studied in 30 patients undergoing Whipple pancreaticduodenectomy. The patients received randomized and blinded either 2 μg · kg^?1 · min^?1 of dopexamine (n=15) or placebo (n=15, control group). The infusion was started after induction of anaesthesia and continued until the morning of the first postoperative day. Endothelin-1 (ET-1), vasopressin, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and catecholamine plasma levels were measured from arterial blood samples. Measurements were carried out after induction of anaesthesia, 2 h after onset of surgery, at the end of surgery, 2 h after surgery, and on the morning of the first postoperative day. Results: Cardiac index (CI) increased significantly in the dopexamine group (from 2.61±0.41 to 4.57±0.78 1 · min^?1 · m^?2) and remained elevated until the morning of the first postoperative day. Oxygen delivery index (DO₂I) and oxygen consumption index (VO₂I) were also significantly increased in the dopexamine group (DO₂I: from 416±91 to 717±110 ml/m² · m²; VO₂I: from 98±25 to 157±22 ml/m² · m²), being significantly higher than in the control group. pHi remained stable only in the dopexamine patients, indicating adequate splanchnic perfusion. Vasopressive regulators of circulation increased significantly only in the untreated control patients (vasopressin: from 4.37±1.1 to 35.9±12.1 pg/ml; ET-1: from 2.88±0.91 to 6.91±1.20 pg/ml). Conclusion: Patients undergoing major abdominal surgery may profit from prophylactic perioperative administration of dopexamine hydrochloride in the form of improved haemodynamics and oxygenation as well as beneficial influence on important regulators of organ blood flow.     

Synergistic interaction between the effects of propofol and midazolam with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity in rabbits

Background: It has been shown that the depressive effects of both propofol and midazolam on consciousness are synergistic with opioids, but the nature of their interactions on other physiological systems, e. g. respiration, has not been fully investigated. The present study examined the effect of propofol and midazolam alone and in combination with fentanyl on phrenic nerve activity (PNA) and whether such interactions are additive or synergistic. Methods: PNA was recorded in 27 anaesthetised and artificially ventilated rabbits. In three groups, propofol, fentanyl and midazolam were administered intravenously in incremental doses to construct dose-response curves for the depressant effects of each one on PNA. In another two groups, the effect of pretreatment with either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. on the effects of propofol and fentanyl respectively on PNA were studied. Results: Propofol and fentanyl caused a dose-dependent depression of PNA with complete abolition at the highest total doses of 16 mg · kg^?1 i. v. and 32 μg · kg^?1 i. v., respectively. In contrast, midazolam in incremental doses to a total of 0.8 mg · kg^?1 reduced mean PNA by 63%, but approximately 12% of PNA remained at a total dose as high as 6.4 mg · kg^?1. The mean ED₅₀s, calculated from dose-response curves, were 5.4 mg · kg^?1, 3.9 μg · kg^?1 and 0.4 mg · kg^?1 for propofol, fentanyl and midazolam, respectively. Initial doses of either fentanyl 1 μg · kg^?1 i. v. or midazolam 0.05 mg · kg^?1 i. v. acted synergistically with subsequent doses of either propofol or fentanyl to abolish PNA at total doses of 8 mg · kg^?1 and 8 μg · kg^?1, respectively. Conclusion: Fentanyl has a synergistic interaction with both propofol and midazolam on PNA and hence potentially on respiration.     

The analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in patients with chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans

Background : Ketamine in sub-dissociative doses has been shown to have analgesic and phantom-Limb pain, where conventional treatment has often failed. Chronic ischemic pain due to lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans often responds poorly to analgesics, and the pain-generating mechanisms are not well understood.
Methods : Eight patients with rest pain in the lower extremity due to arteriosclerosis obliterans were given sub-dissociative doses of 0.15, 0.30, or 0.45 mg/kg racemic ketamine and morphine 10 mg as a 5-min infusion on four separate days in a cross-over, double-blind, randomised protocol. Plasma levels of (S)- and (R)-ketamine and their nor-metabolites were analysed with an enantioselective high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Pain levels were evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results : Individual pain levels were highly variable during and after all the infusions but the pooled pain levels showed a dose-dependent analgesic effect of ketamine with a transient but complete pain relief in all patients at the highest dose (0.45 mg/ kg). Side-effects, mainly disturbed cognition and perception, were pronounced and dose-dependent. Morphine 10 mg had an analgesic peak at 20 min and 5/8 patients had complete pain relief. The remaining 3 patients also had high baseline pain scores, indicating a higher analgesic potency for the 0.30 and 0.45 mg/ kg ketamine doses than for morphine 10 mg.
Conclusion : We have demonstrated a potent dose-dependent analgesic effect of racemic ketamine in clinical ischemic pain. Due to a narrow therapeutic window, this analgesic effect is probably best utilised in combination with other analgesics.     

Intravenous endotoxin does not increase tissue extravasation of albumin in rats

Background : It is unclear whether activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) increases or decreases the extravasation of plasma.
Methods : Chloralose anaesthetised male Wistar rats received E. coli lipopolysacharide (LPS), 3 mg kg^-1 i.v., or the corresponding volume of saline, 3 or 5 h before the end of the experiment. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded. Tissue clearance of radio-labelled albumin, during the last 2 h of each experiment, was determined by a double-isotope method. In separate animals, the serum concentration of nitrite and nitrate was determined, 5 h after LPS or the solvent.
Main Results : LPS initially decreased MAP and lastingly increased HR. In the 3-h LPS animals (n=8), tissue plasma clearance was lower in the heart and calf muscle and increased only in diaphragm, compared to corresponding control animals (n=8). In the 5-h LPS rats, clearance was lowered (n=8) in the entire gastrointestinal tract and in testes, compared to controls (n=8). The serum nitrite/nitrate concentration was higher in animals given LPS (n=6) than in controls (n=6).
Conclusion : After LPS, tissue clearance of albumin was not increased in any major tissue, in spite of increased serum levels of NO end products. Apparently, after activation of iNOS, the augmented release of NO is not necessarily associated with increased albumin extravasation.