Effects of 2-[(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)azo]-1H-imidazole (M6434) on hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, and endotoxin shock in rats and rabbits.

The effects of 2-[(5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)azo]-1H-imidazole (M6434) were investigated in experimental models of lethal shock produced by hemorrhage, injection of endotoxin, or coronary ligation. M6434 improved the survival rate of rabbits in hemorrhagic shock. M6434, at the dose of 3 or 10 micrograms/kg/min, completely reversed the decreases in the blood pressure and the urine output of shocked rabbits, but did not affect the decreased regional blood flow through the kidneys in the animals. Survival rates of cardiogenic-shock rats improved, and the content of ATP and creatine phosphate in myocardium of these animals were restored by the treatment with 1 or 3 micrograms/kg/min of M6434. Intravenous infusion of M6434, at a dose of 3 or 10 micrograms/kg/min for 3 hr, increased the survival rate of the endotoxin-shocked rabbits. These results indicate that M6434 may be evaluated as a possible therapeutic agent for shock.