Altered Reactivity to Escherichia coli Endotoxin of Mice Subjected to Sub-Lethal Tourniquet Treatment

Abstract

Summary

Significantly less E. coli endotoxin (administered as single intravenous injection) was required to elicit a lethal end point in tourniquet treated mice than normal mice. Early intraperitoneal administration of large volumes of physiological saline significantly negated the effects of tourniquet treatment as regards lethal outcome with a given E. coli endotoxin dose. Such saline therapy failed to prevent death in normal animals given endotoxin. These observations plus the estimation of 25-35% original plasma volume loss to the traumatized area suggests that reduction of plasma volume is the major factor in initiating enhanced mortality of tourniquet treated mice receiving E. coli endotoxin.