Effect of bilateral adrenalectomy on blood sugar level and plasma refill in a rat hemorrhagic shock model

Recent studies suggest that the hyperglycemic response to hemorrhage and shock may play a role in promoting plasma refill via its hyperosmolar¹ effect. This relationship was tested in a bilaterally adrenalectomized rat model. After a left carotid arterial cannulation, seven adrenalectomized rats and seven control rats with intact adrenal glands were bled periodically for periods of 15 min followed by 15 min of rest. The initial hemorrhage depleted 7.5% of the total blood volume (TBV) and subsequent hemorrhages 5% each. The study period extended up to 120 min to replicate a hemorrhage of 22.5% of TBV. Micromethod hematocrits (Hct) and blood sugar (BS) were monitored every 15 min and results were analyzed by use of a BMD-P statistical package on an AMDAHL 470 computer. A significant (p < 0.05) increase in BS during shock was seen in the control rats, while the adrenalectomized animals did not demonstrate a significant hyperglycemic response. There was no significant difference in the plasma refill observed between the two groups. At 60 min, the Hct fell 3.6 ± 1.7 and 4.6 ± 0.6 percentage points for control and adrenalectomized animals, respectively, while at 120 min, a respective Hct drop of 7.5 ± 1.6 and 5.4 ± 1.1 percentage points was noted. This study indicates that the absence of the hyperglycemic response in the adrenalectomized rats had no effect on plasma refill when compared to the response of control rats with intact adrenals.