Abstract
Summary
Swiss-Webster mice were protected against lethal amounts of exotoxins prepared from Staphylococcus, Cl. perfringens, and Cl. tetani when the toxins were mixed with oleic or linoleic unsaturated fatty acids prior to intravenous injection. Injection of a toxin and unsaturated fatty acid separately also gave protection. Unsaturated fatty acid also protected against Crotalus terrificus snake venom. No protection was obtained with oleic acid against E. coli or Br. melitensis endotoxin.
It is not known in what manner the fatty acids protect against the exotoxins and snake venom. However, the phenomenon may be related to the fact that the toxic substances act directly on vascular smooth muscles, possibly through enzymatic activity. The action of endotoxin, on the other hand, is mediated through a labile component in serum, possibly complement, with the liberation of histamine, and possibly other vasoactive substances. The unsaturated fatty acids in the form of soaps may denature the proteins of the exotoxins, thus altering their lethal activity, but the lethal property of endotoxins remains because of their polysaccharide nature.
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