特异性卵黄抗体(IgY)对小鼠内毒素血症的保护作用

目的:研究特异性卵黄抗体(Egg yolk immunoglobulin,IgY)对小鼠内毒素血症的保护作用.方法:以灭活的E.coli O111免疫产蛋母鸡制备特异性IgY抗体.ELISA法检测对E-coli O111及内毒素(Lipopolysaecharide,LPS)的结合活性.腹腔注射LPS(2mg/m1),0.1 ml/10g体重,建立小鼠内毒素血症模型.小鼠随机分为5组,分别给药保护:空白组(生理盐水)、阴性对照组(非特异性IgY,20mg/ml)、阳性对照组(头孢哌酮钠,20mg/ml)、高剂量组(特异性IgY,40mg/m1),低剂量组(特异性IgY,20mg/ml).给药剂量为:攻毒前,0.15 ml/l0 g体重,24 h一次,共两次;攻毒后,0.25 ml/10 g体重,24 h一次,共7次.观察小鼠一般情况,体重变化,外周血中白细胞(WBC)和血小板(PLT)数的变化及各组小鼠的死亡率.结果:特异性IgY与E.coli O111及LPS均有体外结合活性.LPS感染后,各组小鼠外周血中WBC和PLl均有不同程度的下降,体重下降.特异性抗体保护组各指标较快恢复到正常水平,其他组恢复缓慢.各组小鼠七天内死亡率分别为:空白组,100%;阴性对照组,85%;阳性对照组,30%;低济量组,30%;高剂量组,0%.结论:特异性IgY对内毒素血症小鼠有保护作用.     

腹泻犊牛源大肠杆菌对小鼠的致病性

[背景]建立细菌性动物腹泻模型是研究细菌性腹泻机制及抗腹泻药机理的常用方法。[目的]从临床腹泻犊牛粪便中分离出5株不同血清型大肠杆菌（Escherichia coli）,经口灌服小鼠建立与临床犊牛腹泻症状近似的小鼠腹泻模型。[方法]72只昆明小鼠随机分为6组,每组12只,分为正常对照组（NC）、E.coli O1干预组、E.coli O2干预组、E.coli O8干预组、E.coli O78干预组和E.coli O86干预组,攻毒组大肠杆菌浓度均为3×10¹³ CFU/mL,每10 g体重灌服0.2 mL攻毒菌液,2次/d,连续灌服7d,分别于灌服后3、5和7d记录小鼠体重及腹泻率,并收集各组小鼠血清,检测白细胞介素1β（interleukin 1β,IL-1β）、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factor alpha,TNF-α）及第7天血清免疫球蛋白G（immunoglobin G,IgG）、IgA和分泌型免疫球蛋白A（secretory immunoglobulin A,sIgA）的含量;于攻毒后第7天收集各组小鼠十二指肠及盲肠内容...     

艰难梭菌特异性鸡卵黄抗体的研制及初步应用

目的制备艰难梭菌菌体特异性鸡卵黄抗体,探讨其对艰难梭菌感染小鼠的治疗作用。方法建立艰难梭菌相关腹泻(CDAD)小鼠模型,将30只CDAD小鼠随机分为5组,每组6只,以11.86mg/mL、1.186mg/mL、0.1186mg/mL艰难梭菌菌体特异性IgY灌胃,设立空白对照组及阴性对照组,1d/次,0.5mL/只,连续3d。末次治疗24h后处死小鼠,取盲肠组织中段制作病理切片;其余盲肠组织进行DAO、D-乳酸和TNF-α含量测定;测定回肠组织含水率。结果阴性对照组和空白对照组小鼠盲肠黏膜脱落伴大量炎细胞浸润;高IgY组小鼠盲肠黏膜完整,未见炎性细胞浸润;中IgY组小鼠盲肠黏膜少量炎细胞浸润;低IgY组小鼠盲肠黏膜上皮细胞脱落,少量炎细胞浸润。高IgY组小鼠盲肠DAO含量均显著高于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P0.01);中IgY组小鼠DAO含量高于阴性对照组(P0.05);中、高IgY组小鼠TNF-α含量均低于低IgY组、空白对照组和阴性对照组(P0.05)。结论艰难梭菌菌体特异性IgY对艰难梭菌感染小鼠具有治疗作用。     

改良环介导等温扩增技术快速检测肉类中的大肠杆菌O157: H7

针对大肠杆菌O157:H7(Escherichia coli O157:H7,E.coli O157:H7)传统检测方法检测周期长的问题,建立了肉类中的E.coli O157:H7的改良环介导等温扩增(LAMP)快速检测方法。以E.coli O157:H7的O157特异性抗原rfbE基因、鞭毛H7特异性抗原fliC基因序列作为靶序列,分别设计2套增加了环引物的改良LAMP引物序列,单管同时检测,通过肉眼观察白色沉淀,判断检测结果。采用36株细菌验证了该改良LAMP引物的特异性。热裂解法提取的DNA经改良LAMP体系扩增20 min,检测E.coli O157:H7的灵敏度为1.4 CFU/mL,人工污染肉中的E.coli O157:H7检出限为1.8 CFU/g。137份实样中,检测出1份E.coli O157:H7假阳性,与行业标准SNT0973-2000符合率达到99.3%。     

茶叶水提物对猪源耐药大肠杆菌的抑制作用

本研究旨在考察茶叶水提物对耐药大肠杆菌的抑制作用,为大肠杆菌病的防治提供依据。采用体外抑菌试验测定红茶水提物和绿茶水提物对猪源耐药大肠杆菌分离株的抑制活性,然后观察具有较强抑菌活性的绿茶水提物对大肠杆菌攻毒小鼠的保护作用。结果表明,随着浓度的增加,两种茶叶水提物的抑菌活性增强;红茶水提物和绿茶水提物对13株大肠杆菌分离株的MIC值分别为62.5~250.0 mg/m L、62.5~125.0 mg/m L,提示绿茶水提物的抑菌活性较强;两种茶叶水提物对13个大肠杆菌分离株的抑制活性强弱表现出一定的差异。攻毒后48 h,攻毒组小鼠全部死亡,绿茶水提物组小鼠的存活率为20%;绿茶水提物组小鼠的十二指肠和空肠肠绒毛高度与对照组比较差异不显著,而显著大于攻毒组(P0.05),提示绿茶水提物对大肠杆菌攻毒小鼠的肠道损伤具有一定缓解作用。上述结果提示,绿茶水提物对大肠杆菌具有很好的抑制作用,可作为防治大肠杆菌病的备选生物活性物质之一。     

抗炭疽人源化单抗在炭疽芽孢致死小鼠模型中的治疗效力评价

目的:建立炭疽芽孢(疫苗株A16R)攻击DBA/2J小鼠的致死模型,并使用该模型评价抗炭疽人源化单抗5E11的治疗效力。方法:用不同剂量A16R芽孢背部皮下攻击小鼠,计算半数致死剂量(LD_(50));ELISA定量检测5E11在小鼠体内的药代动力学参数;用100倍LD_(50)的芽孢攻击小鼠,攻毒后不同时间用不同剂量的5E11单抗治疗小鼠,观察小鼠存活等情况。结果:A16R芽孢攻击DBA/2J小鼠的LD50为7.8×10～3CFU;5E11在小鼠体内的平均消除半衰期约为7 d;攻毒后1 d给药的几个剂量组能够完全保护,攻毒后2～3 d给药能够提供40%～80%的保护。结论:抗炭疽人源化单抗5E11在芽孢攻击致死小鼠模型中表现出良好的保护效果,具有紧急治疗炭疽芽孢感染导致的急性炭疽的潜力。     

林麝肺源致病性大肠杆菌感染BALB/c小鼠模型的建立及评价

【背景】林麝肺源致病性大肠杆菌(Lung pathogenic Escherichia coli,LPEC)属于肠外致病性大肠杆菌(Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli,Ex PEC),是重要的人畜共患病病原菌之一。【目的】建立林麝肺源致病性大肠杆菌感染BALB/c小鼠模型,为研究林麝LPEC O78的致病性提供实验基础。【方法】采用实验室保存的林麝LPEC优势血清型O78菌株腹腔注射BALB/c小鼠,计算LD50,确定造模感染剂量,通过监测感染后体重、生化指标、器官中细菌定殖量变化,以及进行细菌分离鉴定和组织病理学检查,评价造模效果。【结果】确定了LPEC O78致BALB/c小鼠的LD50为3.6×108 CFU/m L。实验组小鼠于攻毒后3 h出现精神萎靡、食欲不振、反应迟钝,剖检见肺脏及肝脏肿大、小肠出血。24 h内体重下降3.2 g左右,随后缓慢升高。生化指标中除尿酸含量与对照组不显著(P0.05)外,谷丙转氨酶、谷草转氨酶、总蛋白、白蛋白、磷、钙、镁、总胆红素、尿素、血糖、胆碱酯酶和乳酸脱氢酶等指标均高于对照组水平,且组间变化显著(P0.05)。各器官均有细菌定殖,心、脾及肾脏24 h达到最高,肝、肺及肠道12 h达到最高,之后随时间逐渐减少。小鼠各器官有不同程度的炎性细胞浸润和细胞坏死。【结论】成功建立了林麝LPEC O78感染BALB/c小鼠模型,为林麝LPEC O78的发病机制、病理生理等方面的研究奠定了一定基础。     

猪丹毒丝菌天然SpaA和重组SpaA-N免疫保护效果的评价

【目的】本试验以小鼠为动物模型,评估了猪丹毒丝菌重组表面保护性抗原A的N端保护区域(rSpaA-N)和天然SpaA的免疫保护效果。【方法】将猪丹毒丝菌C43311株SpaA-N以可溶形式表达在大肠杆菌BL21中,用GST Bind Resin纯化试剂盒纯化rSpaA-N,采用电洗脱法从猪丹毒丝菌C43311株NaOH提取抗原中纯化天然SpaA,将rSpaA-N、天然SpaA和NaOH提取抗原制成亚单位疫苗,同时设GST及生理盐水对照组,间隔2周分3次皮下免疫小鼠,第3次免疫后2周用100LD50猪丹毒丝菌C43065株进行腹腔攻毒,采用间接ELISA方法检测免疫组小鼠血清的抗体动态变化。【结果】SDS-PAGE结果显示,采用GST Bind Resin纯化试剂盒和电洗脱法纯化得到了66kDa的rSpaA-N和64kDa的天然SpaA,蛋白含量分别为1.34mg/mL和1.26mg/mL,而Western印迹结果表明rSpaA-N和纯化前后的SpaA具有良好的免疫反应性。保护试验结果表明,不同免疫剂量的rSpaA-N组、天然SpaA组和NaOH提取抗原组均能完全保护小鼠受强毒株C43065的致死性攻击,而GST组和生理盐水组小鼠攻毒后全部死亡。ELISA检测结果表明,在不同免疫剂量的rSpaA-N组、天然SpaA组和NaOH提取抗原组小鼠血清中的抗体效价之间无显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】本研究结果表明rSpaA-N具有良好的免疫保护作用,可以作为猪丹毒亚单位疫苗。     

季节性和大流行性H1N1流感血凝素DNA疫苗电穿孔免疫小鼠及攻毒保护实验

在流感病毒疫苗中,DNA疫苗有望成为常规疫苗的替代品.研究构建了两个分别编码A/New Caledonia/20/99（H1N1）和A/California/04/2009（H1N1）流感病毒株血凝素抗原的DNA疫苗pV1A5和pVEH1,目的抗原经验证能够正确表达后,利用小鼠模型通过电穿孔方法肌肉注射免疫进行疫苗免疫效力评价.采用血凝抑制实验和酶联免疫吸附实验对免疫小鼠的血清进行血凝素特异性抗体检测,对血凝素特异性的T淋巴细胞经IFN-γ酶联免疫斑点实验进行检测.然后选择小鼠适应株A/NewCaledonia/20/99（H1N1）100个半数致死剂量对候选疫苗免疫的小鼠攻毒并监测生存率和体重变化率,以此评价疫苗保护效力.两疫苗组免疫小鼠T淋巴细胞和体液免疫水平显著高于pVAX1空载体对照组（P〈0.05）.此外,pV1A5组能够100%保护免疫小鼠抵抗100致死剂量同源病毒小鼠适应株的攻毒,而同种病毒下pVEH1组只有40%的保护率.结果表明,本实验构建的季节性流感DNA疫苗能够对同源病毒攻毒提供完全保护,而大流行流感株DNA疫苗只能部分抵抗季节性流感病毒.     

IL-17在黏附侵袭性大肠杆菌感染小鼠结肠过程中的作用机制研究

目的:评价IL-17在黏附侵袭性大肠杆菌感染小鼠结肠过程中的作用及其可能机制。方法:选择野生型及IL-17基因敲除的SPF级C57BL/6小鼠并随机分成4组,分别给予不同的处理:(1)野生小鼠+单纯蒸馏水灌胃处理组;(2)野生小鼠+E.coli LF82(1×109/CFU/只)灌胃10天处理组;(3)IL-17敲除小鼠+单纯蒸馏水灌胃处理组;(4)IL-17敲除小鼠+E.coli LF82灌胃10天处理组。从以下5个方面评价各组小鼠的炎症反应和IL-17水平:(1)组织病理评分评估炎症反应严重程度;(2)透射电镜下观察结肠上皮细胞的超微结构;(3)免疫组织化学检测结肠分泌的IL-17;(4)PCR检测小鼠结肠中IL-17m RNA表达;(5)ELISA检测结肠组织中IL-17的含量。结果:定植了E.coli LF82的IL-17敲除小鼠肠道炎症程度和超微结构损伤较野生型小鼠更加严重(P0.05)。与未经E.coli LF82处理组相比,定植了E.coli LF82的野生小鼠肠道中IL-17m RNA和IL-17含量明显升高(P0.05)。结论:IL-17在E.coli LF82在黏附侵袭结肠粘膜过程中的保护作用,IL-17是针对AIEC菌株E.coli LF82免疫的重要效应物,而结肠局部分泌增加的IL-17会改善感染的结果。     

Efficacy of specific IgY for treatment of lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxemia using a mouse model

Aims: To estimate the efficacy of specific egg yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) for the treatment of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced endotoxemia using a mouse model. Methods and Results: Specific IgY was obtained from the yolk of hens immunized with formaldehyde‐killed Escherichia coli O111 and showed a high binding activity to LPS when subjected to an ELISA. Endotoxemia was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of LPS at a dose of 20 mg kg^?1 for measuring survival rate and 10 mg kg^?1 for cytokine measurement. The survival rate of mice treated with 200 mg kg^?1 specific IgY or 5 mg kg^?1 dexamethasone was 70% while none of the mice in the normal saline–treated group survived more than 7 days. Specific IgY significantly (P < 0·05) decreased tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level and increased interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) level in the serum of endotoxemia mice. Specific IgY had less of an effect on TNF‐α than dexamthasone, while its effect on increasing IL‐10 was stronger than dexamethasone. Haematoxylin and eosin–stained sections indicated that IgY attenuated the damage to the lung and liver observed in mice with endotoxemia. Conclusions: The specific IgY increased the survival rate of mice with endotoxemia induced by LPS, down‐regulated TNF‐α and up‐regulated IL‐10 in serum and attenuated the extent of damage to the lung and liver. Significance and Impact of the Study: The specific IgY has potential for the treatment of LPS‐induced endotoxemia.     

RAPID detection and quantification of E. coli O157/O26/O111 in minced beef by real-time PCR

AIM: To develop a real-time PCR detection procedure for Escherichia coli O111, O26 and O157 from minced meat. METHODS AND RESULTS: Strains (n = 8) of each of E. coli O26, E. coli O111 and E. coli O157 were inoculated at ca 10-20 CFU g(-1) into minced retail meat and enriched for 6 h at 41.5 degrees C as follows: E. coli O26 in tryptone soya broth (TSB) supplemented with cefixime (50 microg l(-1)), vancomycin (40 mg l(-1)) and potassium tellurite (2.5 mg l(-1)); E. coli O111 in TSB supplemented with cefixime (50 microg l(-1)) and vancomycin (40 mg l(-1)); E. coli O157 in E. coli broth supplemented with novobiocin (20 mg l(-1)). DNA was extracted from the enriched cultures, and detected and quantified by real-time PCR using verotoxin (vt1 and vt2) and serogroup (O157 per gene; O26 fliC-fliA genes and O111 wzy gene) specific primers. CONCLUSIONS: The methods outlined were found to be sensitive and specific for the routine detection of E. coli O111, O26 and O157 in minced beef. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The enrichment, isolation and detection procedures used in this study provide a rapid routine-based molecular method for the detection and differentiation of E. coli O26, O111 and O157 from minced meat.     

Protective effect of rabbit immune serum administered orally to rats infected by a human pathogenic strain of E. coli.

1-week-old rats were inoculated orally with a strain of E. coli (serotype 078) isolated from the blood of a newborn baby who had died of septicemia. During the 3 weeks following inoculation, approximately 50% of the animals died of septicemia and 60% of the surviving rats had pathogenic bacteria in their rectum. Some of the surviving rats were severely impaired in their development. Autopsy showed evidence of active intestinal infection localized mainly in the ileum and cecum. A rabbit anti-E. coli (strain 23) serum (agglutinating titer: 1/2,500) afforded 100% protection when as little as 0.03 mg of serum protein per gram of rat body weight was orally administered in a single dose. The immune serum had an effect both on the mortality rate and on the growth of the rats. However, it never affected the survival of pathogenic bacteria in the rectum, even when administered at a daily dose of 1.5 mg of serum protein per gram of rat body weight on 4 consecutive days. The immune rabbit serum had only a weak bactericidal effect in vitro. The hemagglutination test showed the presence in the immune serum of antibodies against the fimbriae of the pathogenic E. coli strain (titer: 1/1,000). The role of antibody in inhibiting the adherence of bacteria to epithelial cells and/or their progression across the mucous layer are discussed as possible immune mechanisms in the intestinal lumen.     

Preparation of Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) Against Lipopolysaccharide using Gel Chromatography from the Yolks of Eggs Laid by Immunized Hens

The objective is to prevent and treat injuries caused by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram negative bacteria in animals and humans, we produced antibodies against LPS from egg yolk. LPS from E. coli (O111:B4) mixed with Freund’s Adjuvant was used as the immunogen to immunize Roman hens. Immunized eggs were collected, and immunoglobulin Y (IgY) was purified using a water solution, salt precipitation and gel chromatography. The molecular weight and purity were determined by SDS–PAGE, the antibody titer by noncompetitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and antibody activity against LPS by the mortality of mice intraperitoneally injected with LPS or LPS-IgY solutions. IgY against LPS showed two protein bands at 68 and 26 kDa on the gel; the antibody titer was almost 1:25,600. After incubation with LPS, IgY decreased the mortality of mice challenged with LPS. This study provided an efficient way to produce high-titer egg yolk antibodies, which could attenuate lethal effects of LPS, by immunizing hens. Furthermore, the LPS antibody was purified well using a water solution, salting-out and gel chromatography.     

抗肺炎支原体卵黄抗体的制备及其免疫特性

目的制备抗肺炎支原体卵黄抗体,并研究其免疫特异性。方法以超声粉碎法制备肺炎支原体抗原;以ELISA法测定卵黄抗体的效价及免疫特异性;以水稀释法联合疏水层析的方法分离纯化卵黄抗体;应用SDS-PAGE法测定分子量及鉴定抗体纯度;改良Lowry法测定蛋白含量。结果低、高剂量组均诱导母鸡产生有效免疫应答,高剂量组免疫效价高于低剂量组。高剂量组于初免疫后约50d抗体效价达高峰,持续约2个月;而低剂量组在初免疫后约60d抗体效价达高峰,持续约1个月。之后效价逐渐下降,在免疫约120d,高剂量组由13log2下降到10log2;而低剂量组则由11log2下降到7log2。以水稀释法联合疏水层析法制备了电泳纯抗肺炎支原体IgY,分子量约178KD,平均每1ml卵黄液可获得较纯抗体6.4mg。制备的IgY与肺炎支原体具有较高特异性,与解脲支原体和人型支原体无明显交叉反应,与生殖支原体有轻度的交叉反应。结论本研究初步制备了抗肺炎支原体卵黄抗体,为肺炎支原体的防治与检测提供新的途径。     

抗凝剂EDTA-Na2对家禽血液指标及基因组DNA的影响

[摘要]目的：分析不同浓度的抗凝剂EDTA-Na2对家禽血液指标及基因组DNA抽提的影响。方法：采集鸡血,分别加入0．6（A组）、0．9（B组）、1．2（C组）、1．5（D组）、1．8（E组）和2．1（F组）mg／mL的EDTA-Na2,立即检测白细胞总数（WBC）、淋巴细胞（LYM）、中间细胞（MID）、粒细胞（GRAN）、红细胞总数（RBC）、血红蛋白（HGB）、血红蛋白含量（MCH）和血小板总数（PLT）,用SPSS软件分析检测数据;用酚-氯仿法提取添加不同量抗凝剂的血液基因组DNA,并进行PCR扩增,基因组DNA和PCR产物用琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测。结果：A组样品出现肉眼可见的凝块,B组有2／7样品有凝集现象,C、D、E和F组均无凝集现象。A组凝集现象严重无法进行血液指标测定,其余5组样品中,对于RBC和HGB指标,C组与B组相比无显著性差异,与D、E、F组差异极显著（P〈0．01）;对于PLT,C组与B组相比无显著性差异,与D、E、F组差异显著（P〈0．05）;WBC无显著变化。除A组外,各组均能获得质量较好的基因组DNA,并能扩增出目的条带。结论：除A组外,不同浓度的EDTA-Na2对基因组DNA提取和PCR扩增无影响。以EDTA-Na2作为禽血抗凝剂时,建议用量应不低于1．2mg／mL。     

Passive protection of purified yolk immunoglobulin administered against Shiga toxin 1 in mouse models

Shiga toxins produced by Escherichia coli O157:H7 cause a wide spectrum of enteric diseases, such as lethal hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In this study, the B subunit protein of Shiga toxin type 1 (Stx1) was produced in the E. coli system, was further purified by Ni-column Affinity Chromatography method, and was then used as an immunogen to immunize laying hens for yolk immunoglobulin (IgY) production. Titers of IgY increased gradually with boosting vaccination and, finally, reached a level of 105, remaining steady over 1 year. Then the protective efficacy of IgY against Stx1 was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. It was shown that the anti-Stx1 IgY could effectively block the binding of Stx1 to the Hela cells and could protect BALB/c mice from toxin challenges. The data indicates the facility of using egg yolk IgY as a therapeutic intervention in cases of Shiga toxin intoxication.     

小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型的初步研究

目的:对小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型进行初步研究并筛选敏感检测指标.方法:实验分7组,1组为正常组,其余6组用XHA600直线加速器射线照射,每组取一部分小鼠于照射后2、4、8、16h测定红细胞(RBC)、白细胞(WBC)、血小板(PLT)和血红蛋白(HGB)含量;测定小鼠肝脏和脾脏重量及其组织中的超氧化合物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量;剩余小鼠于4周后观察骨髓切片中血细胞变化.结果:照射后4h测定血常规,发现累积辐射0.4Gy组小鼠RBC有降低趋势,WBC、HGB显著降低,PLT显著升高;肝脏、脾脏的湿质量显著降低;小鼠肝脏组织中MDA的含量显著升高、SOD的活力显著降低;4周后小鼠骨髓细胞的病理改变与单次照射剂量相关,单次较大剂量(如0.6Gy)照射对骨髓细胞影响较大,在4周观察期不能自身恢复,而多次累积照射对骨髓细胞病理改变较小.结论:小鼠低剂量辐射损伤模型的最佳造模剂量为累积照射0.4Gy即每次照射100mGy,间隔一天,连续照射4次.     

Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides produce serotype-specific hypothermic response in biotelemetered rats

We investigated whether LPS-induced hypothermia develops in a serotype-specific manner in biotelemetered conscious rats. Two different Escherichia coli serotypes of LPSs were injected at a dose of 250 mug/kg ip. E. coli O55:B5 LPS elicited an initial hypothermia and subsequent fever, but E. coli O111:B4 LPS caused more potent monophasic hypothermia. Serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha levels were dramatically elevated at the initial phase of the hypothermia induced by both LPSs. This elevation tended to subside at the nadir of E. coli O55:B5 LPS-induced response but progressively increased at the nadir of E. coli O111:B4 LPS hypothermia. Serum IL-10 levels were moderately elevated at the initial phase of the hypothermia and persisted at the same level at the nadir of each LPS-induced response. No change was observed at the serum IL-18 levels. A selective cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 enzyme inhibitor, valeryl salicylate (20 mg/kg sc), abolished the hypothermia without any effect on the elevated cytokine levels. Another COX-1-selective inhibitor, 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (SC-560; 1 mg/kg sc) inhibited hypothermic responses as well. Meanwhile, cytokine levels were also reduced by SC-560 treatment. These findings suggest that LPS-induced hypothermia may have serotype-specific characteristics in rats. E. coli O111:B4 LPS has more potent hypothermic activity than E. coli O55:B5 LPS; that may presumably be related to its higher or sustained capability to release antipyretic cytokines, such as TNF-alpha. COX-1 enzyme may be involved in the generation of the hypothermia, regardless of the type of LPS administered.