Renal oxygenation in endotoxin shock in dogs

Renal hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism were studied in eight adult beagle dogs during shock induced with an iv infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Renal blood flow (RBF) and renal cortical PO2 decreased profoundly during the 15-min endotoxin infusion. RBF increased sharply immediately after cessation of infusion, but soon declined and remained depressed throughout the rest of the 4-h experiment. The renal cortical PO2 remained depressed for approximately 2 h and then gradually increased toward the baseline level. Endotoxin infusion was followed by an increased renal PvO2 and a decreased renal arteriovenous oxygen difference. Renal oxygen consumption declined abruptly during endotoxin infusion, but increased toward the end of the experiment. These results suggest impaired tissue oxygenation and possibly increased oxygen shunting in the kidney during endotoxin shock.