[Mechanisms of the favorable effect of spinal anesthesia in traumatic shock].

Changes in the level of total peptidoleukotriens-pLT (LTC4 + LTD4 + LTE4) and inositol triphosphates (IP3) were analyzed in the thalamus of rats subjected to "tourniquet" trauma of both hind extremities (LD50) depending on the power of afferent nociceptive nerve impulses. Prevention of spreading, i.e., reduction of painful impulses from the damaged regions was achieved by the spinal anesthesia with bupivacain-chloride immediately after removal of the rubber bandage. Together with pLT and IP3 levels determined by radio immunoassay, physiologic parameters (mean arterial pressure, blood-brain barrier permeability) were also analyzed. Morphologic changes in the thalamus of rats were analyzed by electron microscopy. Extreme increase of the thalamic pLT and IP3 levels in traumatized animals together with increased blood-brain barrier permeability were found. Spinal anesthesia prevented, i.e., reduced these pathologic changes. Authors conclude that afferent painful impulses cause pLT increase in the thalamus and could modify CNS response to the trauma.