CHANGES OF ENDOTHELIN-1 CONTENT AND BLOOD RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES IN CRUSH SYNDROME

This study describes hematocrit values and quantitative changes in plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels according to the severity of crush syndrome (CS) compression and decompression periods. The experiments were carried out on 50 randomly selected 200-250 gr mass Wistar rats with the use of the standard crush syndrome modeling method. The plasma level of ET-1 was determined by the immuneenzyme method with the use of ELISA REDEAR URIT 660. Hematocrit was determined using the standard method and measured according to tube column divisions. Our data show that ET-1 and hematocrit values rise commensurate with an increased duration of compression, and especially decompression periods. In CS, elevation of ET-1 concentrations and hematocrit values leads to significant microcirculation disturbances in parallel with longer and more severe compression and decompression periods. Specifically, the ET-1 concentration was significantly elevated, possibly in response to activation of surface endothelial В (ET-B) receptors located in the vessel endothelium. These receptors, in turn, have a vasodilative effect due to nitrogen oxide synthesis induction and vascular smooth muscle relaxation. The rise in hematocrit values during crush syndrome is associated with plasmorrhagia induced by trauma and toxic (rhabdomyolysis) shock.