Erythropoietin protects severe haemorrhagic shock-induced organ damage in conscious rats

Abstract: Objective: Erythropoietin (EPO) has pleiotropic cytoprotective actions. We investigated the effects of EPO on the physiopathology and cytokine levels after haemorrhagic shock (HS) in conscious rats. Methods: Rats received an intravenous injection of 300U/kg EPO over 10min followed by HS via withdrawal of 60% of total blood volume from a femoral arterial catheter (6ml/100g body weight) over 30min. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were monitored continuously for 18h after the start of blood withdrawal. Levels of biochemical parameters, including haemoglobin, GOT, GPT, BUN, creatinine (Cr), LDH, CPK, and lactate were measured at 30min before the induction of HS and 0, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18h after HS. Cytokine levels, including TNF-α and IL-6, in serum were measured at 1, 9, and 18h after HS. The kidneys, liver, lungs, and small intestine were removed for pathology assessment at 48h after HS. Results: HS significantly increased HR, blood GOT, GPT, BUN, Cr, LDH, CPK, lactate, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels and decreased haemoglobin and MAP in rats. Pre-treatment with EPO improved survival rate, preserved the MAP, decreased the tachycardia and markers of organ injury, suppressed the release of TNF-α and IL-6 after HS in rats. Conclusion: Pre-treatment with EPO suppresses the release of serum TNF-α and IL-6, along with decreasing the levels of markers of organ injury associated with HS, with such actions ameliorating HS-induced organ damage in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]