Sublethal hemorrhage impairs the acute peritoneal inflammatory response in the rat

Hemorrhagic shock increases the risk of septic complications in injured patients. In this study, we investigated the effect of sublethal hemorrhage on the acute peritoneal inflammatory response and the clearance of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity of the rat. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to sublethal hemorrhage, resuscitated, and then inoculated intraperitoneally with a suspension of viable Escherichia coli in saline. Sham-hemorrhaged rats served as controls. Sublethal hemorrhage decreased survival and impaired the influx into the peritoneum of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophage colony-forming cells. There was no difference between groups in the clearance of viable bacteria from the peritoneum; clearance of blood-borne bacteria was decreased in the hemorrhaged animals. We conclude that sublethal hemorrhage in the rat inhibits the acute peritoneal inflammatory response, but has little or no effect on the early removal of bacteria from the peritoneal cavity.