Effects of different hemoglobin concentrations on lung injury in a rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

Objective To evaluate the effect of different hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations on the lung injury in a rabbit model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS-R). Methods Fifty healthy male New Zealand rabbits, aged 2 months, weighing 1.9-2.4 kg, were divided into 5 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), HS-R group (group H), and three HS-R plus infusion of concentrated red blood cell groups group R1 (60 g/L≤Hb<80 g/L), group R2 (80 g/L≤Hb<100 g/L) and group R3 (100 g/L≤Hb<120 g/L). The animals were sacrificed at 3 h after resuscitation, lung tissues were obtained for examination of the pathological changes with a light microscope, and lung tissues were obtained again for determination of wet to dry weight ratio (W/D ratio), neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO), NO level and cell apoptosis (by TUNEL). Results Compared with group C, the levels of MAP and NO, W/D ratio and apoptosis index were significantly increased in the other groups (P 0.05). Conclusion Maintaining Hb 80-100 g/L after HS-R reduces acute lung injury in rabbits. Key words: Shock, hemorrhagic; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Hemoglobins; Acute lung injury