Radiotracer assessment of gastric mucosal permeability after hypovolemic shock

Acute lesions of the gastroduodenal mucosa may result from gastric mucosal ischemia with subsequent cellular dysfunction, capillary leakage and increased susceptibility to mucosal damage. A new technique for measuring the effect of hypovolemic shock and gastric mucosal permeability is presented. Piglets were injected intravenously with human serum albumin labelled with 100 micro Ci of iodine-131 (131I-HSA). Serial blood and gastric samples were obtained for gamma counting during the control, hypovolemic shock and resuscitative periods. Increased gastric acid secretion and clearance of labelled serum albumin occurred after resuscitation from hypovolemic shock. The authors believe that increased capillary permeability and defective gastric mucosal cell function due to ischemia contribute to these changes.