Protection of organs during experimental ischemia.

Cell death complicating ischemia has profound local or systematic effects on the organism. We have tried to protect the small intestine and severed extremities from the effects of ischemia by using various drugs and techniques. Occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for 1.5 hours in anesthesized, fed rats had a 97 per cent mortality. This was improved by pretreatment with methylprednisolone and amplicillin given together. Histologic preservation was seen in treated survivors. Chlorpheniramine, diphenylhydantion and methylprednisolone or amplicillin given alone had little, if any, effect. In dogs, reimplantation of severed extremities subjected to a 1.5 to two hour warm ischemic period resulted in toxic systemic picture, and 100 per cent mortality. This was improved by perfusion with Collins solution and postoperative injection of methylprednisolone. The incidence of gangrene was decreased. The judicious use of some drugs and preservation techniques may protect organs and the organism from the consequence of ischemia.