Response of the Opsonic and Phagocytic System to Trauma in Adrenalectomized Animals 1

Abstract

Summary

Adrenalectomy and sham-adren-alectomy resulted in a significant stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) at the 24 hr postoperative period. This response was primarily reflected in an enhanced vascular clearance of test colloids and an associated hepatic hyperphagocytosis. The physiological factor apparently mediating this response was the presence of a “hyperopsonemia” with an associated alteration of Kupffer cell function mediated at the cellular level in the adrenalectomized animals. Evaluation of the physiologic response of both the opsonic system and RE system to surgical trauma in the bilaterally adrenalectomized rats revealed that the “hypoopsonemia” and RE failure response during the early posttrauma interval (60 min) was not dependent on the presence of the adrenal glands. However, the data does support the concept that the opsonic or humoral deficit is related to the posttrauma RE depression. It is suggested that the hyperfunctional state of the hepatic RE system resulting from the experimental withdrawal of steroids by adrenalectomy may indicate that steroids have a regulatory role in RE function. Thus, host defense failure following surgical trauma may be related to depression of the opsonic and RE system, a response that does not necessitate the presence of the adrenals.

The authors acknowledge the fine technical assistance of Miss Terri Reisman.