Effect of reduced glutathione on hemodynamic responses and plasma catecholamine levels during metabolic acidosis

Abstract

The effects of reduced glutathione (GSH) on plasma catecholamine (CA) levels and hemodynamics were studied in seven severely acidotic dogs, before and after dopamine (DA) infusion. Seven other dogs, also acidotic, received lactated Ringer's solution instead of GSH. Although metabolic acidosis decreased cardiac index (CI) in both groups, the decrease was significantly less in the GSH group. The significantly increased systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) in the control group was suppressed by GSH infusion, although similarly high plasma CA levels were maintained in both groups. This suggests that GSH has certain vasodilat- ing effects not related to adrenosympathetic activity. CI did not improve and DA infusion significantly increased SVRI in the control group, whereas CI increased with a mild decrease of SVRI in the GSH group. The rise of plasma norepinephrine after DA infusion was low in the GSH group compared to the increase in the control group. This study suggests that during acidosis GSH improves hemodynamics and restores the effects of DA on cardiac output.