[Preservation of liver mitochondria function in hemorrhage-resistant rats during severe long-term hypotension]

In contrast to the reported data evidencing early impairment of the liver mitochondrial function in the Wiggers model of hemorrhagic shock at the arterial blood pressure 30-40 mm Hg, lasting not over 6 h, a group of hemorrhage-resistant rats was discovered. In these rats, the lifetime was about 20 h, with the blood pressure being the same as indicated above. Rectal temperature decreased to 24-25 degrees C during shock. No substantial disorders were recorded in oxidative phosphorylation and ATPase activity of the mitochondria isolated from the liver in the irreversible stage of shock (70% blood return) or in the terminal state of animals. It is assumed that hypothermia plays the protective role. The conclusion is made that the damage to the mitochondria is not indispensable factor of the development of irreversible shock.