Beneficial effects of prostaglandin E1 infusion in experimental traumatic shock.

The effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) were studied in a standardized model of traumatic shock in rats. Pentobarbital anesthetized rats were subjected to standardized drum trauma of 525 revolutions in a Noble-Collip drum. These traumatized rats were characterized by a survival time of 108 +/- 19 min, a 12-fold increase in plasma cathepsin D activity, and a three-fold increase in plasma myocardial depressant factor (MDF) activity. PGE1 (1.2 micrograms/kg X min) significantly improved survival time during traumatic shock (191 +/- 29 vs. 108 +/- 19 min), drug vs. vehicle, respectively (p less than .03). In addition, PGE1 significantly attenuated plasma MDF activity during traumatic shock (58 +/- 10 vs. 27 +/- 7 U/ml), vehicle vs. drug, respectively (p less than .02). Plasma cathepsin D activity was also significantly retarded (12.1 +/- 1.8 vs. 1.70 +/- 1.50 U/ml), vehicle vs. drug, respectively (p less than .01). PGE1 appears to exert a membrane stabilizing effect, decreasing plasma cathepsin D and attenuating MDF production. PGE1 thus appears to have significant antishock activity.