The effects of adrenaline on blood haemoglobin concentration

Abstract

Investigatio-ns on the changes in the blood and blood pressure in relation to burns (Brown, 1944) have shown that even with minor injuries the blood pressure may be raised and slight haemoconcentration may occur. These findings may be related, and both may be due to excitement. Adrenaline plays a prominent part in the production of the excitement syndrome, and it was thought that, by observing the effect of the drug on haemoglobin levels, some idea would be gained as to the possible magnitude of the resulting changes in man caused by excitement. METHODSIn the course of investigations on the glycogenolytic action of adrenaline in cases of hepatic disease, advantage was taken of the opportunity to observe the effect of the drug on haemoglobin levels. The nature of the primary investigation explains the relative frequency of liver disease among the patients selected. Several relatively normal individuals have also been included.The patients were confined to bed on the day of the test which began at about 11.15 a.m. and ended before the midday meal. Samples of blood were obtained 5 min. before, and 10, 30 and 60 min. after, the subcutaneous injection of 1 ml. of 0-1 % adrenaline hydrochloride. Two patients were given 1 ml. of 0-85 % sodium chloride instead of adrenaline.Venous stasis of short duration (less than 60 sec.) was used to facilitate venepuncture. Such stasis does not influence haemoglobin levels (Brown, 1945). Blood was collected in a clean dry tube containing a suitable quantity of heparin as an anticoagulant.Haemoglobin was estimated in a Spekker photoelectric colorimeter with oxyhaemoglobin as the pigment, 0-100 ml. of blood being added to 10 ml. of 0.4 % ammonia. The pipettes used were Grade 'A' (N.P.L.). All estimations were performed in duplicate, and no two such estimations differed by more than 0*15 g. %. RESULTSThe changes in haemoglobin levels in sixteen patients given 1 mg. of adrenaline hydrochloride are shown in Table 1. With three exceptions, a significant rise in haemoglobin followed the injection. It reached a maximum in 10 min. when an average rise of 0 73 g., equivalent to 5-53 % of the mean original level, was recorded. A fall occurred in 30 min., and return to pre-adrenaline levels was noted at the end of 1 hr. There is no evidence that the results were affected by the nature of the illness present.