Background: Trauma and hemorrhagic shock trigger mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) from bone marrow to peripheral blood. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), tyrosineprotein kinase Met (c-Met), matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), and corticosterone regulate this mobilization process. We hypothesized that beta-blockade with propranolol and sympathetic outflow inhibition with clonidine following trauma and chronic stress would decrease hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization.Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to undergo three models of injury and stress: lung contusion (LC), LC plus hemorrhagic shock (LCHS), or LCHS plus chronic restraint stress for 2h daily (LCHS/CS). Propranolol and clonidine were administered by daily intraperitoneal injection until sacrifice on day seven. Bone marrow HGF, c-Met, and MMP-9 were measured by real-time PCR. Plasma corticosterone was measured by ELISA. %HPC in peripheral blood was measured by flow cytometry.Results: Propranolol and clonidine significantly decreased bone marrow MMP-9 expression, plasma corticosterone levels, and HPC mobilization, and significantly increased hemoglobin levels. HPC mobilization was greatest following LCHS/CS (5.4±1.8) and was significantly decreased by propranolol (2.2±0.9, p <0.001) and clonidine (1.7±0.5, p <0.001). Hemoglobin (g/dL) was lowest following LCHS/CS (12.3±1.2) and was significantly increased by propranolol (13.7±0.4, p =0.022) and clonidine (14.1±1.1, p <0.001).
Conclusions:Severe injury was associated with increased bone marrow HGF, c-Met, and MMP-9, circulating corticosterone, HPC mobilization, and persistent anemia. Attenuating the neuroendocrine response to injury and stress with propranolol and clonidine reduced MMP-9 expression, corticosterone levels, HPC mobilization, and the degree of anemia.