Critical care medicine
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2016
4-Aminopyridine, A Blocker of Voltage-Dependent K+ Channels, Restores Blood Pressure and Improves Survival in the Wistar Rat Model of Anaphylactic Shock.
Anaphylactic shock is associated with severe hypotension. Potassium channel blockers, such as 4-aminopyridine, induce vasoconstriction. The objective of this study was to test the ability of 4-aminopyridine to restore blood pressure and increase survival in anaphylactic shock. ⋯ Our data suggest that voltage-dependent K+ channel inhibition with 4-aminopyridine treatment restores blood pressure and increases survival in the Wistar rat model of anaphylactic shock. 4-aminopyridine or related voltage-dependent K channel blockers could be a useful additional therapeutic approach to treatment of refractory anaphylactic shock.
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Critical care medicine · Nov 2016
Double-Stranded RNA Interacts With Toll-Like Receptor 3 in Driving the Acute Inflammatory Response Following Lung Contusion.
Lung contusion is a major risk factor for the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. We set to determine the role of toll-like receptor 3 and the binding of double-stranded RNA in the pathogenesis of sterile injury following lung contusion. ⋯ We conclude that the interaction of double-stranded RNA from injured cells with toll-like receptor 3 drives the acute inflammatory response following lung contusion.