The effects of
prostaglandin E1 (
PGE1) were studied in a standardized model of
traumatic shock in rats.
Pentobarbital anesthetized rats were subjected to standardized drum
trauma of 525 revolutions in a Noble-Collip drum. These traumatized rats were characterized by a survival time of 108 +/- 19 min, a 12-fold increase in plasma
cathepsin D activity, and a three-fold increase in plasma
myocardial depressant factor (
MDF) activity.
PGE1 (1.2 micrograms/kg X min) significantly improved survival time during
traumatic shock (191 +/- 29 vs. 108 +/- 19 min),
drug vs. vehicle, respectively (p less than .03). In addition,
PGE1 significantly attenuated plasma
MDF activity during
traumatic shock (58 +/- 10 vs. 27 +/- 7 U/ml), vehicle vs.
drug, respectively (p less than .02). Plasma
cathepsin D activity was also significantly retarded (12.1 +/- 1.8 vs. 1.70 +/- 1.50 U/ml), vehicle vs.
drug, respectively (p less than .01).
PGE1 appears to exert a membrane stabilizing effect, decreasing plasma
cathepsin D and attenuating
MDF production.
PGE1 thus appears to have significant antishock activity.