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Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Bittner, HB; Kendall, SW; Chen, EP; Van Trigt, P
Published in: J Crit Care
June 1995

PURPOSE: Endocrinologic and metabolic changes after brain death (BD) have not yet been investigated in a validated animal model. Therefore, the effects of BD on hormonal and metabolic function were studied in 10 dogs (23 to 31 kg). METHODS: BD was induced by intracranial pressure increase and validated neuropathologically. Plasma concentrations of pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic hormones were measured pre/post BD. The results are expressed as mean (+/- SEM). RESULTS: A Cushing reflex and diabetes insipidus occurred after BD. Elevated catecholamine levels were documented after 15 minutes whereas the pituitary gland hormones vasopressin and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) decreased significantly after 15 and 45 minutes of BD respectively. Thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and glucagon decreased significantly (P < .01) from 0.58 ng/mL (+/- 0.05), 2.20 micrograms/dL (+/- 0.15), and 49.7 pg/mL (+/- 9.1) respectively to 0.34 ng/mL (+/- 0.03), 1.14 micrograms/dL (+/- 1.14), and 6.9 pg/mL (+/- 1.4) respectively 420 minutes after BD. The hematocrit increased significantly after BD and declined toward the end of all experiments. Metabolic acidosis occurred immediately after BD and at the end of the experiments. CONCLUSIONS: In a simple, reproducible, and reliable animal model of BD, a catecholamine storm, vasopressin and ACTH cessation, and diabetes insipidus were consistent findings. The decrease in cortisol and vasopressin levels warrant consideration of hormonal therapy.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Crit Care

DOI

ISSN

0883-9441

Publication Date

June 1995

Volume

10

Issue

2

Start / End Page

56 / 63

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vasopressins
  • Time Factors
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Male
  • Hematocrit
  • Glucagon
  • Emergency & Critical Care Medicine
  • Dogs
  • Disease Models, Animal
 

Citation

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Bittner, H. B., Kendall, S. W., Chen, E. P., & Van Trigt, P. (1995). Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model. J Crit Care, 10(2), 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9441(95)90017-9
Bittner, H. B., S. W. Kendall, E. P. Chen, and P. Van Trigt. “Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model.J Crit Care 10, no. 2 (June 1995): 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9441(95)90017-9.
Bittner HB, Kendall SW, Chen EP, Van Trigt P. Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model. J Crit Care. 1995 Jun;10(2):56–63.
Bittner, H. B., et al. “Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model.J Crit Care, vol. 10, no. 2, June 1995, pp. 56–63. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/0883-9441(95)90017-9.
Bittner HB, Kendall SW, Chen EP, Van Trigt P. Endocrine changes and metabolic responses in a validated canine brain death model. J Crit Care. 1995 Jun;10(2):56–63.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Crit Care

DOI

ISSN

0883-9441

Publication Date

June 1995

Volume

10

Issue

2

Start / End Page

56 / 63

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Vasopressins
  • Time Factors
  • Thyroid Hormones
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Male
  • Hematocrit
  • Glucagon
  • Emergency & Critical Care Medicine
  • Dogs
  • Disease Models, Animal