Abstract: | The effect of Huoxue Huayu injection(HHI) on hemodynamics of canine small intestine was investigated in 25 healthy mongrel dogs. SMA was used for intestinal blood flow measurement with an electronic magnetic flowmeter. After measuring the arterial and venous oxygen saturation the intestinal oxygen consumption and vascular resistance were calculated. In the control group (n = 8) the dog was infused with normal saline (NS) and in the experimental group (n = 9) HHI was used with the same dosage of 3.75 ml per kg body weight per hour. Small molecular weight dextran (SMD) was administered in the third group as a known vasodilator agent. The results showed no effect of NS on intestinal hemodynamics. At the periods of 20, 40 and 60 minutes following HHI the mean values of intestinal blood flow were 291.22 +/- 98.12, 307.56 +/- 106.64 and 283.33 +/- 96.84 ml.min-1 respectively. They were statistically different against the premedication values (181.56 +/- 62.38 ml.min-1). The values of intestinal oxygen consumption at the corresponding periods were 6.97 +/- 3.62, 6.97 +/- 3.80 and 7.11 +/- 3.04 ml.min-1. They were markedly greater than those before HHI (4.85 +/- 2.23 ml.min-1). Analysis proved that blood flow and vascular resistance had a dependent relationship. HHI was marked by stronger effect than SMD when used in smaller dosage. It was believed that both the increase of blood flow and oxygen consumption might be an important pharmacological basis of the application of Huoxue Huayu principle in the treatment of acute abdominal diseases. |