Beneficial effects of a neutral protease inhibitor in traumatic shock

Eglin C is a polypeptide inhibitor of the neutral proteases elastase and cathepsin G. We have investigated its action in traumatic shock in rats. Eglin C (2 mg/kg) given following trauma prolonged survival time from 2.3 +/- 0.5 h to 3.6 +/- 0.4 h (p less than 0.05) in traumatized rats. Although eglin C treatment had no significant effect on the increase in plasma cathepsin D activity, eglin C administration significantly blunted plasma myocardial depressant factor (MDF) accumulation, 54 +/- 3 vs 79 +/- 8 U/ml (p less than 0.02). Our findings indicate a potential role for neutral proteases in toxic factor formation.