This study was designed to systematically investigate expression of TNF α

IL-1β

I1-6 mRNA in the liver

lungs and kidneys

release of TNF α in the above tissues

their relationship with hepatic

pulmonary and renal dysfunction

and distribution of endogenous endotoxin in tissues after hemorrhagic shock in mice and rats

with reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction

ELISA

etc

to elucidate the kinetics of expression and release of major cytokines in vital organs

their role and mechanism of production in shock. The results were: ①expression of TNF α

IL-1 β

IL-6 mRNA in vital organs successively increased after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation

and TNF α expression was the first to appear followed by IL-1β. Though expression of IL-6 mRNA appeared late

it persisted longer;②TNF α levels in the liver

lungs and kidneys were all elevated but to different degrees after shock and resuscitation. At 3 hours after resuscitation

TNF α levels in the three above tissues were still significantly high

while plasma TNF α levels were already decreased to control levels; ③hepatic

pulmonary and renal functions were damaged to different degrees after hemorrhagic shock

with hepatic dysfunction being the most severe; ④endotoxin levels in the liver

lungs and kidneys were markedly increased after shock and resuscitation

and paraIleled the expression of cytokine genes. In addition

there was slgniflcant correlatlon between changes in endotoxin level in tissues and TNF α release in tissues during early shock. lt is suggested that expression and release of cytokines in vital organs might play an important role in local organ damage after hemorrhagic shock

and production of cytokines is related to endotoxin translocation.