Effect of Hydrocortisone on Blood Pooling Due to Cobra Venom.

Abstract

Total body perfusion of anesthetized dogs and isolated canine hind limbs was carried out utilizing a plastic bag oxygenator and sigma-motor pump. Venom of Naja naja was introduced into the blood utilized for perfusion and changes in blood pressure and weight of the suspended oxygenator were recorded. Intravascular introduction of venom during total body perfusion resulted in rapid fall in arterial pressure and rapid loss of blood from the oxygenator into the animal. When hydrocortisone was given prior to venom injection, the rate of pooling of blood by the animal was greatly decreased. Hydrocortisone given after injection of venom caused no significant different in the rate of uptake of blood as compared with control animals. Injection of venom also resulted in pooling of blood in the isolated hind limb. There was no decrease in the rate of blood pooling when hydrocortisone was added to the perfusing blood prior to venom administration, however hydrocortisone was given to limb donor prior to excision of limb, the rate of blood pooling caused by venom in the limb was decreased considerably. The mechanism of action of hydrocortisone did not appear to be directly upon the blood vessel but some intermediate factor was required.