Abstract
The effects of Gram Negative endotoxin (E. Coli 0111B4) on the liver of rabbits has been studied. In 22 animals 92% developed liver necrosis following two intravenous doses of 50 mcg per kg of endotoxin at a 24 hour interval. Of 91 animals 42 survived for more than 12 hours following a large single dose (250-1000 mcg per kg) of endotoxin administered slowly intravenously for an 8 hour period and most of these developed a generalized Schwartzman reaction (GSR) and hepatic necrosis. Of 20 animals given a single dose of 50 mcg per kg endotoxin 15 developed piecemeal necrosis associated with microthrombi. Before endotoxin was administered liver function tests (SCOT, SGPT, LDH isoenzymes, 5' nucleotidase, and serum albumin) in all animals and liver biopsy in the 10 rabbits in which this was carried out were normal. After endotoxin the liver function tests and coagulation tests (PT, PTT, platelets, factors I, II, V and VIII) and split products of fibrinogen (SPF) were abnormal. A mild to moderate decrease in factor VIII and a slight increase in SPF suggest that disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) participated in this reaction. Although most of the hemostatic alterations could be attributed to hepatic damage, these studies indicated a close interaction between liver dysfunction and DIC in determining the effects of Gram Negative endotoxin in these animals.
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Abaill, A., Karayalcin, G., Costales, F. et al. THE LIVER IN THE SCHWARTZMAN REACTION. Pediatr Res 11, 466 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00578
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00578
