Serum transaminase and alkaline phosphatase levels after large doses of norepinephrine and epinephrine in dogs

Abstract

An intravenous infusion in conscious dogs of a large dose of norepinephrine (0.51–0.85 mg/kg) or epinephrine (0.55–0.92 mg/kg) resulted in an elevation in serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGO-T) which reached a peak in about 6 hours and subsided within 2–3 days. Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGP-T) and serum alkaline phosphatase increased more gradually and subsided more slowly. Pathologic studies confirmed the myocardial and hepatic damage suggested by the elevated serum enzyme levels. Subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg epinephrine-in-oil produced less severe pathologic changes, but resulted in a gradual increase during the first day in SGO-T, SGP-T and serum alkaline phosphatase with peak levels considerably higher than those following the intravenous infusions. Markedly elevated serum enzyme levels, suggesting cellular damage with altered permeability, occurred even in animals showing no significant myocardial hypersensitivity and no significant myocardial and hepatic changes demonstrable by the usual histologic methods. The adrenergic blocking agent Dibenzyline prevented the rise in serum transaminases but not the rise in serum alkaline phosphatase.