Methods: Twenty-one New Zealand Wistar albino rabbits were randomly allocated to one of the three experimental groups: HES 130/0.4 solution (n=7, Voluven®, group HES), gelatine solution (n=7, Gelafusine®, group GEL) and control (n=7, sodium chloride 0.9%, Saline group). Hemorrhagic shock was induced by controlled blood withdrawal (40% of total estimated blood volume) from the left carotid artery over 30 minute under hypoxemic conditions. The period of hypovolemia was maintained for 10 minute All resuscitation solutions, except saline solution (3 volumes of saline/1 volume of blood loss for saline), were infused as withdrawn blood volume via the jugular vein over 30 minute after the hypovolemic period under hypoxemic conditions. Rabbits were breathing spontaneously via tracheotomy in room air during hemorrhage and fluid resuscitation periods (hypoxemic resuscitation). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF)-a concentrations were measured before hemorrhagic shock and after fluid resuscitation in all blood samples.

Results: The values of the MDA, TNF-a, IL-6 levels were the highest, whereas IL-10 and GSH levels were the lowest in the Saline group compared to the other groups. The MDA, TNF-a, IL-6 levels were lower, but the IL-10 and GSH levels were higher in group HES compared to group GEL (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Hypoxemic resuscitation with HES 130/0.4 solution (Voluven®) for hemorrhagic shock decreases oxidative stress (MDA) and proinflammatory mediators (TNF-a, IL-6), but increases antioxidative (GSH) and antiinflammatory markers (IL-10) when compared to modified gelatine solution (Gelafusine®). Further studies must be carried out with experimental models and different solutions to reach an ultimate conclusion.