AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 249, Issue 5 570-R577, Copyright © 1985 by American Physiological Society
Glucose dyshomeostasis and cardiovascular failure in endotoxic dogs
P. M. Kober, J. X. Thomas Jr and J. P. Filkins
Fasted mongrel dogs were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium and
instrumented for the on-line measurement of blood glucose (BG), a lead II
electrocardiogram, and pressures in the left ventricle and pulmonary and
systemic artery concomitant with on-line monitoring of BG. Serum insulin
was measured by radioimmunoassay, and cardiac output (CO) was determined by
thermodilution. Stroke work (SW) and pulmonary and systemic resistances
were calculated. After a 30-min control period dogs were treated with
Escherichia coli endotoxin (E) or normal saline (S) and then observed for
10 h or until death. Preinjection control BG was maintained in S dogs, and
early hyperglycemia (H) was observed in six dogs; in contrast 10 E dogs
showed no hyperglycemia (NH). During the late stages all E dogs were
markedly hypoglycemic. In both groups of E dogs an early hyperinsulinemia
occurred. CO and SW were depressed in both groups of E dogs. These
variables were significantly lower in NH than in H dogs. Pulmonary and
systemic resistance progressively increased in NH dogs after endotoxin
administration. The results suggest that the ability to increase blood
glucose levels after endotoxin injection is important for the maintenance
of cardiovascular function. Glucose dyshomeostasis leading to hypoglycemia,
however, may be a factor in the development of endotoxic cardiovascular
failure.
