[The effect of methylprednisolone on the course of the experimental tourniquet-shock in dogs (author's transl)].

In experiments in dogs rubber tourniquets were tied around both hind limbs as close to the hip as possible, and a 4-h acute ischemia was induced. With the removal of the tourniquets the tourniquet-shock was produced. In a control group no therapy of the shock was carried out. The animals were observed for 6 h. In a second group, methylprednisolone 40 mg/kg BW was given immediately after revascularisation. In a third group, methylprednisolone 40 mg/kg was given prophylactically 10 min before the tourniquets were applied and therapeutically as soon as the blood circulation was opened. Hemodynamic parameters and renal function were measured to examine the pharmacological effect of methylprednisolone in acute tourniquet-shock. The mortality rate in the control group was 90%, while it was 50% by therapeutic and/or prophylactic application of methylprednisolone. The prophylactic application of methylprednisolone reduced development of metabolic acidosis, hemoconcentration, and hyperkaliemia during ischemia so that a mitigated course of shock was observed.