Reticuloendothelial system blockade-induced humoral factor depletion and susceptibility to hemorrhagic shock.

This study was carried out to determine if reticuloendothelial system (RES) blockade-induced depletion of circulating alpha-2-glycoprotein opsonic activity resulted in increased susceptibility to hemorrhagic shock. RES blockade induced by the injection of gelatinized lipid emulsion was associated with a 45.9% decrease in phagocytic index and a 85.7% decrease in plasma alpha-2-glycoprotein opsonic activity. Animals subjected to RES blockade 30 min prior to hemorrhagic shock showed a decrease in time to decompensation and a decrease in maximum shed volume. These results are consitent with the concept that circulating levels of this opsonic protein are important in modulating RES phagocytic function and in host defense to shock.