Multiple organ injuries after abdominal high energy wounding in animals and the protective effect of antioxidants.

Multiple organ injuries caused by high energy abdominal wounds were studied in 8 pigs and 24 dogs, and at the same time the protective effect of antioxidants in 14 dogs with multiple organ injuries was also studied. The experimental results showed that: 1) more than two organs (six organs at most) were wounded in each of the animals studied; 2) the injuries were characterized by hemorrhaging, tissue rupture and hematoma, and the main pathologic changes were local edema and necrosis; 3) the marked increase of lipid peroxide (LPO) levels in the vital organs indicated that multiple organ injuries could also involve the molecular level; 4) the injuries were due to the direct effect of pressure waves and ischemic reperfusion and not to shock or infection; and 5) antioxidants (vitamin E and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.) exhibited significant protective effects against multiple organ injuries through a free radical mechanism.