Blood of Animals in Hematoporphyrin Shock.

Abstract

Experiments designed to throw light on the state of the blood of animals sensitized by hematoporphyrin and exposed to light were carried out on cats, guinea pigs, rats and mice.

One to 2 cc. per 100 gm. of body-weight of a 0.5 per cent solution of crystalline hematoporphyrin hydrochloride (Nencki) in n/10 NaoH or 1 to 2 per cent NaHCO₃ were injected subcutaneously, intraperitoneally, or intravenously. Sunlight was usually employed. Normal animals and animals similarly injected but kept in the dark were studied throughout as controls.

In preliminary observations no difficulty was encountered in securing the usual reaction of such sensitized animals on exposure of the skin to light.

Exposure of the peritoneum alone was followed by shock, but exposure of blood flowing through a glass canula inserted in the femoral artery or between the femoral artery and femoral vein produced shock in only 1 of 5 cases.

Mice fed on hematoporphyrin by mouth for 8 weeks did not develop any sensitization to light.

Blood Pressure. The carotid pressure of cats sensitized by hematoporphyrin and exposed to light falls from normal values of 120 to 160 mm. Hg. to 30 to 50 mm. within 35 to 120 minutes. The rapidity of fall depends upon the intensity of the light. A prompt reaction to adrenalin is maintained. The heart beat and the respiration cease simultaneously.

Pulse Rate, Both pulse and respiration rate increase markedly during the development of shock and are slowed towards the end of the experiment.

Blood Cells. The number of red blood cells remains practically unchanged; during the early stages a leucocytosis of 13,000 to 18,000 appears, which is followed by a leucopenia of 4,000 to 5,000.

Blood Chemistry. The amount of sugar, total non-protein nitrogen and creatinine was found to be essentially the same as in control animals.