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Updated: May 24, 2026
Developing a Clinically Relevant Hemorrhagic Shock Model in Rats
Published on: March 22, 2024
[Comparative effects of low and medium molecular hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions on hemorrhagic shock in rats]
Maki Yoneko1, Yasuyuki Suzuki, Jun Kojima
1Department of Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, Tokyo 142-8501.
Background:
Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are frequently used plasma expanders. We examined the effects of medium-HES (mean molecular weight of 130,000 dalton) and low-HES (mean molecular weight of 70,000 dalton) on the survival rates (Exp. I), colloid osmotic pressure (COP) (Exp. II) and coagulation (Exp. III) with rats in hemorrhagic shock.
Methods:
Hemorrhagic shock was induced by removing 55% (Exp. I) and 20% (Exp. II and III) of the circulating blood volume. Saline, low-HES or medium-HES of the same volume with the removed blood was intravenously infused immediately after bleeding.
Results:
Exp. I: In survival rate, effect of medium-HES was significantly superior to that of saline. Exp. II: The COP of medium-HES group was significantly higher than that of saline group 3 hrs after hemorrhagic shock. Exp. III: There were no changes in von Willerbrand factor and factor VIII 3 hrs after hemorrhagic shock among saline, low-HES and medium-HES.
Conclusions:
Medium-HES and low-HES are efficacious plasma volume substitutes; however, the ability of medium-HES to prolong maintenance of COP better than low-HES is a finding that would be significant in a clinical setting involving preoperative blood management and extreme blood loss.
