The effect of hemorrhagic shock on plasma amino acids and tissue energy substrates in the primate.

Levels of plasma amino acids and muscle concentrations of energy substrates and metabolites after shock in the Macaca mulatta Rhesus monkey were investigated. The hemodynamic response to shock is similar to that of previously reported studies of primates in shock. Plasma glucose and ASAT increased significantly, while levels of ALAT and pyruvic acid did not change. Lactic acid was elevated. Muscle glycogen and concentrations of lactic acid were increased, and levels of pyruvic acid, creatine phosphate, and malate fell during shock. Levels of ATP in muscle were unchanged. Nine of the 23 arterial plasma amino acids analyzed decreased significantly. Aspartic acid was increased during shock. The increased levels of tissue carbohydrates and decreased concentrations of plasma amino acids observed in this study differ from results previously reported for other animal shock models. Changes in amino acid levels are similar to the results of some clinical studies.