ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of three fluid resuscitation methods on apoptosis of visceral organs in rats with hemorrhagic shock.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A model of rat with severe hemorrhagic shock and active bleeding was established in 32 SD (Sprague-Dawley) rats. The rats were randomly divided into control group, no fluid resuscitation group (NF group), controlled fluid resuscitation group (NS40 group) and rapid large scale fluid resuscitation group (NS80 group). Each group contained 8 rats. The curative effects were compared. At the same time, the apoptosis in liver, kidney, lung and small intestinal mucosa of survivors after hemorrhage and resuscitation was detected by light microscopy in HE (hematoxylin and eosin) stained tissue sections, flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The survival rate of early fluid resuscitation (14/16) was markedly higher than that of NF group (3/8). There was some apoptosis in liver, kidney, lung and small intestinal mucosa of all survivors. Compared with NF and NS40 groups, the apoptosis of liver, kidney and small intestinal mucosa of NS80 group was obviously increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Among three fluid resuscitation methods, controlled fluid resuscitation can obviously improve the early survival rate and the apoptosis of liver, kidney and small intestinal mucosa in rats with severe and uncontrolled hemorrhagic shock, and may benefit improvement of prognosis.</p>