Anti-shock effect of cyproheptadine in rabbit

Twenty four New Zealand rabbits were equally divided into a cyproheptadine (Cyp) treated group and a control group. Profound hemorrhagic shock was produced by exsanguination via carotid artery until mean arterial pressure (MAP) = 5.3 kPa (40 mm Hg) for a period of 90 min. After given Cyp 10 mg.kg-1, the MAP and central venous pressure (CVP) of the treated group rose obviously (P less than 0.01) and the mesenteric microcirculation improved markedly. After 1 h, all indices returned nearly to the preshock state. The survival rate 2 h after Cyp increased to 12 (P less than 0.01) in comparison with the control group (7). The results showed that Cyp, which dilates the vasculature and improves the microcirculation through blocking serotonin S2 and histamine H1 receptors, has a beneficial anti-shock effect.