Effects of hydrazine sulfate on galactosamine-sensitized endotoxic shock in ten-day-old rats

Patients who have liver diseases are susceptible to septic shock. Galactosamine induces liver damage and increases endotoxin-sensitivity. Hydrazine stimulates pituitary-adrenal axis and decreases mortality in galactosamine-sensitized endotoxic shock in the adult. However, as pituitary-adrenal function in the newborn is immature, the effects of hydrazine on galactosamine-sensitized endotoxic shock in the newborn remained unclear. In the present study, galactosamine-sensitized endotoxic shock was induced and treated with hydrazine in ten-day-old rats. Galactosamine (600 mg/kg) plus Salmonella enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.01 mg/kg) induced hypoglycemia, lactacidemia and resulted in high mortality. Hydrazine at the dose of 20, 50 or 80 mg/kg did not alter the hypoglycemia, lactacidemia or morality. Dexamethasone ameliorated the hypoglycemia and lactacidemia (p < 0.05) and decreased the morality (p < 0.05). The lack of beneficial effects of hydrazine in galactosamine-sensitized endotoxic shock in ten-day-old rats may be related to immature pituitary-adrenal function and suppression of gluconeogenesis by hydrazine.