PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF A NOVEL NONGLUCOCORTICOID 21-AMINOSTEROID (U74006F) DURING TRAUMATIC SHOCK IN RATS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the nonglucocorticoid steroid U74006F in the pathogenesis of a murine traumatic shock model. Pentobarbital-anesthetized (40 mg/kg) rats were subjected to Noble-Collip drum trauma and developed a lethal shock state characterized by a decreased mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) to 67 ± 2 mm Hg and survival time (1.5 ± 0.2 h). In contrast, sham trauma rats exhibited a MABP of 122 ± 4 mm Hg at 5 h postanesthesia. Administration of U74006F at doses of 22.5 mg/kg at 15 to 20 min following trauma significantly maintained a higher MABP and prolonged survival compared to those trauma rats receiving only the vehicle for U74006F (0.002 N HCl). U74006F at 15 and 22.5 mg/kg prolonged survival time to 2.6 ± 0.3 (p < 0.05) and 3.1 ± 0.6 h (p < 0.02), respectively. U74006F also significantly attenuated the plasma accumulation of cathepsin D (p < 0.02 to p < 0.01) and free amino-nitrogen compounds (p < 0.01) compared to the rats receiving only vehicle. Additionally, U74006F at 15 and 22.5 mg/kg blunted the production of the cardiotoxic peptide, myocardial depressant factor (MDF) (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Moreover, U74006F is a steroid without significant glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid activity. These results suggest that U74006F may be useful as a therapeutic agent in traumatic shock. © 1990 Raven Press, Ltd., New York.