Abstract
Summary
Rabbits prepared with prior injections of cortisone were given a single intravenous dose of E. coli endotoxin, Boivin type, at 100 μg/kg. The cortisone treatment potentiated intravascular clotting in these rabbits. Thus, excess disappearance of plasma 125I-fibrinogen radioactivity was demonstrated after endotoxin in each of 12 rabbits treated with 4 daily intramuscular injections of 25 mg of cortisone acetate, whereas only 1 of 13 saline-treated control rabbits showed similar changes. Consumption of plasma fibrinogen in the 6 hr after endotoxin was calculated from plasma fibrinogen levels and plasma fibrinogen radioactivity. Mean values were as follows: cortisone group, 79.4 mg% or 33.9 mg/kg; control group, 37.4 mg% or 13.2 mg/kg. The GSR was found in 3 cortisone-treated rabbits but in no control rabbit. Enhancement of endotoxin-induced clotting represents one important mechanism whereby cortisone could prepare rabbits for the GSR.
The authors thank Miss Mary Jane Patch for preparation of the figures.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.