Liver metabolic effects of intestinal shock and naloxone treatment in the rat

The liver metabolic response of rats following a standardized intestinal shock, induced by applying a pressure of 120 cm water on the mesenteric vessels for 60 min, was studied. Immediately prior to the release of the pressure on the vessels saline or naloxone was given either as a single injection or as a continuous infusion. After the reperfusion of the intestine no early disturbances in liver metabolism were found as evidenced from the ATP, glucose and lactate levels in liver biopsies taken 15 min following reflow. Within 60 min of reflow reduction of ATP and increases of glucose and lactate levels occurred. There were no major hemodynamic or liver metabolic differences between saline- and naloxone-treated shocked rats. When saline or naloxone was given as a continuous infusion, the changes in liver metabolism were, however, less severe than those observed in the single injection situation pointing toward a non-specific effect of volume replacement rather than a blockade of opioid receptors. Hepatic hypoxia and/or cellular effects of "shock factors" could be mechanisms of pathophysiologic importance for the disturbed liver metabolism in this shock model.