Study of microcirculatory changes in a rat model of brain death and the effect of continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia on the development of the inflammatory process

Abstract

Hemodynamic, neurohumoral, and immunological alterations may combine to deteriorate the intrinsic quality of the organ procurement and/or exacerbate ischemia/reperfusion injury during the ensuing cold preservation and transplantation. This study aims to investigate microcirculatory changes through the in vivo and in situ observation of the mesenteric microcirculation in a rat model of brain death and the effects of continuous thoracic epidural anesthesia (0.5% bupivacaine) on the development of the inflammatory process. The design includes the investigation of: (1) leukocyte-endothelial interactions in the mesenteric microcirculation by intra-vital microscopy; (2) expression of P-selectin and ICAM-1 on mesenteric microvessels by immunohistochemistry; (3) serum cytokines and corticosterone levels by ELISA; (4) hemodynamic parameters, blood gases and electrolytes, and blood leukocyte counts. (AU)