| dc.description.abstract | In a rat model of controlled haemorrhagic shock we have investigated the effects of therapeutic mild/moderate
hypothermia on the early inflammatory response and organ function. In two groups of animals (n=13 in each group)
volume-controlled haemorrhage was induced by a steady-state withdrawal of 2,5 ml/100 g body weight (plus 1 ml) from
an arterial line over 10 minutes. The animals of the hypothermic group were simultaneously cooled to a temperature of
32.5-33.0 degrees C. After an observation period of 75 minutes 2/3 of the shed blood was reinjected. After
resuscitation the animals were observed for two hours. As measured by the proximal cytokines TNF and IL-6, as well
as the level of reactive oxygen species in peritoneal macrophages, hypothermia blunted the early inflammatory
response. Based on parameters of liver and kidney function an organ-protective effect was observed. We conclude that
hypothermia recuces the early cell-damaging consequences of haemorrhagic shock, partly due to its impact on the initial
inflammatory response. | en_GB |