Small volume resuscitation with 3% hypertonic saline solution decrease inflammatory response and attenuates end organ damage after controlled hemorrhagic shock

Abstract Background Recently, studies have been conducted examining the efficacy of 3% hypertonic saline solution (HS) for the treatment of traumatic brain injury; however, few studies have analyzed the effects of 3% hemorrhagic shock during hemorrhagic shock. The aim of this study was to test the potential immunomodulatory benefits of 3% hemorrhagic shock resuscitation over standard fluid resuscitation. Methods Wistar rats were bled to a mean arterial pressure of 35 mm Hg and then randomized into 3 groups: those treated with lactated Ringer's solution (LR; 33 mL/kg, n = 7), 3% HS (10 mL/kg, n = 7), and 7.5% HS (4 mL/kg, n = 7). Half of the extracted blood was reinfused after fluid resuscitation. Animals that did not undergo shock served as controls (n = 5). Four hours after hemorrhagic shock, blood was collected for the evaluation of tumor necrosis factor–α and interleukin-6 by enzyme immunoassay. Lung and intestinal samples were obtained for histopathologic analysis. Results Animals in the HS groups had significantly higher mean arterial pressure than those in the LR group 1 hour after treatment. Osmolarity and sodium levels were markedly elevated in the HS groups. Tumor necrosis factor–α and interleukin-6 levels were similar between the control and HS groups but significantly higher in the LR group ( P < .05). The lung injury score was significantly higher in the LR group compared with the 7.5% HS and 3% HS groups (5.7 ± 0.7, 2.1 ± 0.4, and 2.7 ± 0.5, respectively). Intestinal injury was attenuated in the 7.5% HS and 3% HS groups compared with the LR group (2.0 ± 0.6, 2.3 ± 0.4, and 5.9 ± 0.6, respectively). Conclusions A small-volume resuscitation strategy modulates the inflammatory response and decreases end-organ damage after HS. Three percent HS provides immunomodulatory and metabolic effects similar to those observed with conventional concentrations of HS.