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Morphine sulfate attenuates hemorrhagic shock-induced hyperpermeability

Craig Charleston1, Rudolph Puana, Russell K McAllister

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, Scott and White Clinic and Memorial Hospital, Scott, Sherwood and Brindley Foundation, Texas A&M University System Health Science Center College of Medicine,2401 South 31st St., Temple, Texas 76508, USA.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|June 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Morphine sulfate, previously thought to worsen inflammation after hemorrhagic shock, actually protects the microvasculature by reducing both increased permeability and leukocyte adherence in rats.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Morphine sulfate is used for hemorrhage control but may increase infection rates by modulating immune cells and histamine release.
  • Histamine release by morphine can increase microvascular permeability, potentially worsening inflammation after hemorrhagic shock.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of morphine sulfate in microvascular permeability and leukocyte adherence following hemorrhagic shock.
  • To determine if morphine sulfate aggravates or protects against inflammatory responses after hemorrhagic shock.

Main Methods:

  • Hemorrhagic shock was induced in rats by reducing mean arterial blood pressure.
  • Mesenteric postcapillary venules were examined for changes in microvascular permeability (albumin extravasation) and leukocyte adherence.
  • Morphine sulfate was administered prior to the shock period.

Main Results:

  • Hemorrhagic shock significantly increased albumin leakage and leukocyte adherence to the venular endothelium.
  • Pre-treatment with morphine sulfate (10 microg/kg) attenuated both the increased microvascular permeability and leukocyte adherence.
  • These effects were statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Contrary to expectations, morphine sulfate did not aggravate the inflammatory response after hemorrhagic shock.
  • Morphine sulfate demonstrated a protective effect on the microvasculature by reducing hyperpermeability and leukocyte adherence.
  • These findings suggest a potential therapeutic benefit of morphine in managing inflammatory complications post-hemorrhagic shock.

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