Interorgan transport of amino acids in hemorrhagic shock

Arterial concentrations and net organ metabolism of amino acids (AA), O2, CO2, H+, and glucose (Glc) were measured in two dogs before and during hemorrhage and after blood replacement. Shock caused increased splanchnic and decreased peripheral blood flow and O2 consumption. Po2 decreased more in hepatic venous than in mixed venous blood. pH fell in hemorrhage and increased with retransfusion. Increased liver output and arterial concentration of Glc were observed during hemorrhage. Differences between animals correlated with nutritional status. Blood concentrations of most AA showed little change during hemorrhage but increased after retransfusion. In contrast, arginine concentrations declined sharply. Peripheral output and hepatic uptake of most AA occurred during the control period. During shock, peripheral output and hepatic uptake of total AA and most individual AA declined progressively; after retransfusion peripheral uptake and hepatic output of many AA occurred. By contrast, peripheral output and hepatic uptake increased for alanine, glutamine, serine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine. After retransfusion net transport of some compounds occurred from periphery to liver; others, from liver to periphery. During shock, hepatic protein catabolism increased. and this catabolism, accompanied by decreased hepatic uptake (increased hepatic output), seemed the main cause of increased blood AA concentrations. Protein catabolism in peripheral tissue was not a cause of increased blood concentrations. Pathological changes in pH, Po2, and blood flow, occurred early in hemorrhage. In contrast, changes in AA movements and concentrations were within normal limits until late in shock.