Kinetics of P-selectin expression in regional vascular beds after resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock:: A clue to the mechanism of multiple system organ failure

Leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions play an important role in mediating organ dysfunctions observed after hemorrhagic shock. P-selectin is the first endothelial cell adhesion molecule to be upregulated after an ischemic insult. The objective of this study was to define kinetics of P-selectin expression in different regional vascular beds of mice exposed to hemorrhagic shock. In-vivo P-selectin expressions were determined using dual radiolabeled monoclonal antibody technique in lungs, heart, liver, kidneys, intestinal mesentery, stomach, small bowel, and colon 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, and 24 h after resuscitation of 40 mmHg hemorrhagic shock. In another group, P-selectin expression was determined in same organs 5 h after resuscitation of 30 mmHg hemorrhagic shock. Hemorrhagic shock of 40 mmHg caused significant upregulation of P-selectin in lungs and liver at 30 min after resuscitation (P < 0.001). There was a second and more pronounced upregulation of P-selectin in lungs and liver at 5 h after resuscitation (P < 0.001). In heart, intestinal mesentery, stomach, small bowel, and colon, P-selectin was not upregulated until 5 h after resuscitation from 40 mmHg hemorrhagic shock (P < 0.001). While hemorrhagic shock of 40 mmHg did not cause P-selectin upregulation in kidneys, hemorrhage to 30 mmHg did elicit a significant increase at 5 h after resuscitation (P < 0.001). We conclude that P-selectin is upregulated after resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in lungs, liver, heart, stomach, and intestines. P-selectin upregulation in kidneys only takes place after more severe hemorrhagic shock.