Splanchnic organ adenine nucleotides and their metabolites in haemorrhagic shock

The concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP in splanchnic organs, and the plasma concentrations of the end products of adenine nucleotide breakdown, were determined in experimental haemorrhagic shock. Haemorrhagic hypotension resulted in marked reduction in the ATP and the total adenine nuclectide contents of pancreas, liver and duodenum even two hours following reinfusion. Plasma hypoxanthine and uric acid increased more than ten fold during the hypotensive period, and later decreased gradually. The plasma concentration of allantoin increased dramatically during haemorrhagic hypotension and did not decrease following reinfusion. It is proposed that when breakdown of adenine nucleotides in haemorrhagic hypotension proceeds as far as uric acid and allantoin, the resynthesis of ATP following reinfusion is severely limited. The possibility that this disturbance in energy metabolism may influence the irreversibility of haemorrhagic shock is discussed. with particular reference to the pancreas.