Changes of plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine in rabbits with firearm thoracic wounds / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective　To investigate the changes of plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) in rabbits with firearm thoracic wounds. 　Methods　 A total of 24 rabbits were divided into 3 groups randomly, the simple thoracic penetrating injury group (Group A, n = 8), the pseudo-injury group (Group B, n = 8)and the normal control group ( Group C, n = 8). The pressures of carotid artery and jugular vein were recorded by eight-road physiological recorder at 5 minutes before injury. And the concentrations of plasma E and NE were detected through high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrochemical detection (ED) at 5 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours and 24 hours after injury in all the rabbits. 　Results　The concentrations of plasma E and NE in Group A were significantly higher than those of Group C (P<0.01) and changed regularly. There was no significant difference between Group B and Group C. The pressures of carotid artery and jugular vein of Group A increased by 1.8 and 6.8 times, respectively, during 2 millisecond after injury, then decreased to normal immediately. They decreased to the minimum (0.63 and 0.25 time, respectively) in 30 minutes and 5 minutes respectively and averagely, and raised to normal slowly after 6 hours and 12 hours respectively and averagely. There was no significant difference between Group B and Group C.　Conclusions 　 The concentrations of plasma E and NE increase significantly in the rabbits with thoracic firearm wounds. Their changes have close relationship with the severity of wound and can be used as a judging criterion during the early period of wound.