Influence of ACTH-(1-24) on metabolic acidosis and hypoxemia induced by massive hemorrhage in rats

In anesthetized rats, step-wise bleeding to a severe condition of hemorrhagic shock causes a decrease in arterial and venous pH and in venous PO2 and SO2 and an increase in arterial PO2 and in venous PCO2 and lactic acid. The intravenous bolus injection of ACTH-(1-24) (160 micrograms/kg)--which causes a rapid and sustained reversal of the shock condition--produces a gradual and almost complete recovery (within 60 min) of venous PO2, PCO2 and SO2; on the other hand, the normalization of blood pH and lactate is preceded by a further worsening during the first minutes after treatment. On the whole, these data are compatible with the ACTH-(1-24)-induced mobilization of the residual blood--which is pooled in poorly oxygenated tissues--and with the improved circulatory and respiratory functions.