Delayed Resuscitation with Physostigmine Increases End Organ Damage in Alcohol Intoxicated Rats

Previous studies from our laboratory have identified a role for blunted central sympathetic activation in the acute alcohol intoxication (AAI)-induced impairment of the counterregulatory response to hemorrhagic shock (HS). Immediate fluid resuscitation (FR) with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors restores the neuroendocrine and pressor responses to FR in AAI + HS. We hypothesized this intervention would remain beneficial after delay and that restoration of mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) during FR would attenuate organ damage. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a primed constant alcohol infusion (2.5 g · kg + 0.3 g · kg · h for 15 h) or isocaloric dextrose (DEX) before HS (40 mmHg for 60 min) and FR with lactated Ringer's (LR) solution ± physostigmine (PHYS; 100 µg · kg) immediately or after a 60-min delay after HS. Immediate LR solution elevated MABP in DEX + HS. Acute alcohol intoxication delayed the initial MABP recovery. Delayed LR solution did not further increase MABP in DEX- or AAI + HS. LR solution + PHYS increased MABP in DEX- and AAI + HS after immediate and delayed FR. No differences were noted in markers of organ dysfunction (alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine) after DEX + HS, and this was unaltered by immediate or delayed LR solution + PHYS. Acute alcohol intoxication + HS increased ALT, which was attenuated by immediate LR solution + PHYS. In contrast, delayed LR solution + PHYS exacerbated tissue injury in AAI + HS, as reflected by increased ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and liver protein carbonylation over time-matched LR solution. In conclusion, PHYS enhanced blood pressure recovery independent of time of FR and presence of AAI. However, in AAI + HS, delayed LR solution + PHYS accentuated organ damage and dysfunction. These findings suggest that although enhancing the sympathetic response can improve hemodynamic recovery during AAI, it may compromise tissue perfusion and enhance tissue injury.