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Developing a Clinically Relevant Hemorrhagic Shock Model in Rats
Published on: March 22, 2024
Glucosamine administration during resuscitation improves organ function after trauma hemorrhage
Shaolong Yang1, Lu-Yun Zou, Pam Bounelis
1Department of Surgery, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-0005, USA.
Shock (Augusta, Ga.)
|May 25, 2006
Summary
Glucosamine (GlcNH2) administration during resuscitation improves organ function and survival after severe trauma hemorrhage. This protection is linked to increased O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification, suggesting a key mechanism in stress response.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Physiology
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Stress-induced hyperglycemia is crucial for survival after hemorrhage, but underlying mechanisms remain unclear.
- Hyperglycemia increases O-linked N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) protein modification, which enhances cell survival under stress.
- Glucosamine (GlcNH2) selectively increases O-GlcNAc levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of glucosamine (GlcNH2) administration on organ function and survival following trauma hemorrhage (TH) in rats.
- To determine if GlcNH2 administration can mitigate the negative effects of TH by modulating O-GlcNAc levels.
Main Methods:
- Male rats underwent a standardized trauma hemorrhage model (hemorrhage to 40 mmHg for 90 min, followed by resuscitation).
- Glucosamine (GlcNH2) or saline (NaCl) was administered during resuscitation.
- Cardiac output, organ perfusion, inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-alpha), and protein O-GlcNAcylation were assessed.
Main Results:
- GlcNH2 administration significantly improved cardiac output (2-fold increase) compared to controls.
- GlcNH2 enhanced organ perfusion (kidney, brain) and attenuated increases in IL-6 and TNF-alpha.
- Protein-associated O-GlcNAc levels were significantly increased in the heart and brain after GlcNH2 treatment.
Conclusions:
- Glucosamine administration during resuscitation improves recovery from trauma hemorrhage.
- Enhanced O-GlcNAc levels correlate with improved cardiac function, organ perfusion, and reduced inflammation.
- Increased O-GlcNAc may be the mechanism linking stress-induced hyperglycemia to improved outcomes after severe injury.

