MICROCYSTIN-LR DECREASES HEPATIC AND RENAL PERFUSION, AND CAUSES CIRCULATORY SHOCK, SEVERE HYPOGLYCEMIA, AND TERMINAL HYPERKALEMIA IN INTRAVASCULARLY DOSED SWINE

Abstract

Cross-bred, anesthetized female swine were given intravascularly a lethal (72 µg/kg; n = 6) or toxic-sublethal (25 µg/kg; n = 6) dose of microcystin-LR (MCLR), from Microcystis aeruginosa, or the vehicle (n = 4). At the high dose, from 12 to 18 min after administration, central venous pressure and hepatic perfusion were significantly lower, and shortly thereafter, portal venous pressure was significantly higher and aortic mean pressure was significantly lower than controls. By 45 min postdosing, serum bile acids, lactate, potassium, and total bilirubin, as well as blood pO₂, were significantly higher, while hematocrit, platelet count, and blood bicarbonate, pCO₂, and base excess were significantly lower than controls. By 90 min, serum arginase, urea nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and creatinine were significantly higher, while glucose and blood pH were significantly