Objective: To investigate the effects of Ringer's solution (RS) or 6% hydroxyethyl saline (HES) on bacterial translocation and inflammation of the small intestine in rats with hemorrhagic shock.
Methods: Fifty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group (SHA group, n=10), the Ringer's solution group (RS group, n=20) and 6% hydroxyethyl saline group (HES group, n=20). Controlled hemorrhagic shock model was reproduced in RS and HES groups. Bacterial translocation to the liver, the content of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in intestinal tissue, and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the intestinal tissue were determined and compared among the groups, and the pathologic changes in the small intestine were observed.
Results: The mortality rate, bleeding volume and Chiu's scores were same in HES and RS groups (all P>0.05). Compared to SHA group, bacterial count and TNF-alpha level were increased significantly in HES and RS groups, and they were higher at 1 hour and lower at 24 hours in HES group than those in RS group. Compared to the SHA group, MPO activity increased at 1 hour in RS and HES groups, but no significant difference between the groups was found at 24 hours.
Conclusion: RS prevents compromise of the intestinal barrier function better than the HES at 1 hour after fluid resuscitation. However, HES seems to be better in protecting the intestinal barrier function compared with RS at 24 hours after fluid resuscitation.