Intestinal lysosomal enzyme activity in regional simulated shock: influence of methylprednisolone and albumin.

A 2 hr-period of regional intestinal simulated shock in cats results in small intestinal mucosal lesions and a general cardiovascular derangement, probably secondary to the release of cardiotoxic material into the intestinal venous blood. These phenomenona are accompanied by release of lysosomal and cytoplasmatic enzymes from the intestinal tissue. The effects of methylprednisolone treatment and deposition of albumin in the intestinal lumen during the regional shock period were studied. Administration of methylprednisolone early and late in the regional shock period prevented mucosal lesions and cardiovascular deterioration as well as lysosomal and cytoplasmatic enzyme release. Albumin deposition in the intestinal lumen during the regional shock period prevented lysosomal enzyme release and cardiovascular derangement and to a minor extent mucosal lesions. It is suggested that release of intestinal lysosomal enzymes is of importance for development of mucosal lesions and for production of cardiotoxic material.