Skeletal muscle function, oxygenation and biochemistry in an endotoxemic model of SIRS

We have developed a reproducible low-dose endotoxin model which is useful for the investigation of early SIRS. The data confirm that organ function cannot be inferred from whole animal data (e.g. SVR vs. MVR). Thus, the study of SIRS at the organ and cellular level is essential. Decreased skeletal muscle oxygen consumption with 4 Hz exercise in early SIRS may be related to depletion of physiologic reserves, especially microcirculatory reserves, as suggested by decreased myoglobin saturation and decreased energy charge. Using this model, we will investigate whether organ dysfunction in SIRS is due to oxygen-limited cellular ATP production or impaired cellular metabolism.