Whole Blood Redox Potential Correlates With Progressive Accumulation of Oxygen Debt and Acts as A Marker of Resuscitation in A Swine Hemorrhagic Shock Model.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidation-reduction reactions involve electron exchanges that require optimal balance for proper cell function. This balance is measured via redox potential and reflects oxidative stress. Despite the critical role of oxidative stress in critical illness and injury, little is known regarding redox potential. We hypothesize redox potential measurements will correlate with accumulation of O2 debt produced by hemorrhage over time. METHODS: Ten swine were studied using a polytrauma hemorrhagic shock model. Whole blood and plasma redox potential measures were obtained at defined stages of O2 debt (20 mL/kg, 40 mL/kg, 60 mL/kg, 80 mL/kg), and through resuscitation. Redox potential was determined by measuring open circuit potential using novel gold nanoporous electrodes with Ag/AgCl reference. RESULTS: Whole blood redox potential showed negative change as O2 debt accumulated, exhibiting positive response during resuscitation, and correlated with O2 debt across all animals (P < 0.001). Redox potential changes throughout O2 debt accrual were significant compared with baseline (P≤0.05), and at end resuscitation compared with O2 debt 60 mL/kg (P = 0.05) and 80 mL/kg (P = 0.02). Whole blood redox potential measures also correlated with oxygen extraction ratio, ScvO2, and lactic acid, appearing very sensitive to acute changes. Plasma redox potential showed no correlation with O2 debt. CONCLUSIONS: Whole blood redox potential demonstrates significant correlation to O2 debt at all stages in this model. These results set the stage for further study of redox potential as a direct measure of oxidative stress and potential clinical tool. Given redox potential plasma performance, these measures should be made in whole blood versus plasma.