Steroid effect on capillary permeability in gram-negative septic shock. Evaluation by vitreous fluorophotometry

W. W. Tom, R. M. Dotterrer and M. Villalba

The purpose of this study was to use vitreous fluorophotometry to evaluate the effects of glucocorticoids on capillary permeability during gram-negative septic shock. Twelve preconditioned mongrel dogs were cannulated with arterial lines and Swan-Ganz catheters for complete hemodynamic monitoring. All 12 dogs were injected with fluorescein and live Escherichia coli intravenously. Six of the 12 dogs were administered methylprednisolone at set intervals after the initiation of the E coli infusion. Vitreous fluorophotometric recordings were taken hourly. Leakage of fluorescein into the extravascular space occurred in both groups, up to several hours after E coli infusion. However, in the steroid group, the capillary permeability decreased and stabilized following the initial increase in permeability. We conclude that steroids, when administered during the development of gram-negative septic shock, may modify capillary permeability changes.