Use of indium-111 oxine to study the effects of terbutaline on pulmonary and hepatic platelet sequestration in endotoxin shock
Christenson, J.T.; Sigurdsson, G.H.; Mousawi, M.; Owunwanne, A.
American Journal of Physiologic Imaging 2(4): 186-191
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0885-8276 PMID: 3132186 Document Number: 290242
This study describes the effects of the beta 2 receptor agonist terbutaline on platelet sequestration in sheep exposed to endotoxin shock. The in vivo behavior of Indium-111-labeled platelets was followed simultaneously in the lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys. The effects on the respiratory function and the central hemodynamics were also followed. Twelve adult sheep were given endotoxin (10 micrograms/kg bw), and six of those received a continuous intravenous infusion of terbutaline (20 micrograms/kg/hr) during 4 hr, starting 30 min after injection of endotoxin. The other six acted as controls. It was found that a marked pulmonary and hepatic platelet sequestration occurred during and just after the endotoxin infusion and was followed by a marked platelet disaggregation within 30 min in both groups. Three hours after the endotoxin a second wave of platelet trapping occurred in the control animals in both the lungs and the liver, while no such increase was seen in the terbutaline-treated animals. In the spleen, however, there was a decrease in platelet sequestration after endotoxin in both groups, and in the kidneys only minor changes occurred. Furthermore, less marked hemodynamic and respiratory alterations occurred in the terbutaline group compared with the controls. It was concluded that terbutaline decreased sequestration of platelets in the lungs and in the liver of sheep in endotoxin shock, which may be of importance in the development of multiple organ failure.