Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids are increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of endotoxemic pigs

We hypothesized that lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid might be produced during endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure (ARF) observed in young pigs. We used radioimmunoassay (RIA) to determine the presence of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), 12-HETE, and 15-HETE in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of saline (n=12)- and endotoxin (n=18)- treated pigs. Endotoxin, infused at 5 μg/kg for 1 hr followed by 2 μg/kg/hr for an average of 3 hrs, caused pulmonary hypertension, a biphasic increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, hypoxemia, bronchoconstriction, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia. Relative to saline controls, the levels of immunoreactive (i)-5-HETE (816 ± 209 pg/ml), i-12-HETE (1589 ± 517 pg/ml), and i-15-HETE (448 ± 78 pg/ml) were significantly ) increased in BALF recovered from endotoxemic pigs at postmortem. Relative to control BALF i-HETE concentrations, the endotoxin values were 3.5x, 5.1x, and 2.8x higher for i-5-HETE, i-12-HETE, and i-15-HETE, respectively. We conclude that during porcine endotoxemia, the 5-, 12-, and 15-lipoxygenase pathways are activated and that HETES might be involved in the pathophysiology of endotoxin-induced ARF.     

Increased leukotriene B4 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and plasma of endotoxemic pigs

We hypothesized that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) might be produced during endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure (ARF) observed in young pigs. We used radioimmunoassay (RIA) and reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) to determine the presence of LTB4 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of saline- and endotoxin-treated pigs. Endotoxin was infused at 5 micrograms/kg for 1 hour (hr) followed by 2 micrograms/kg/hr for an average of 3 hrs. Arterial plasma (collected at 0.5 hr intervals for 4 hrs) immunoreactive (i)-LTB4 was significantly increased from 2.5 to 4 hrs of endotoxemia with the peak value occurring at 3.5 hrs (i.e. 282% of baseline value). Analysis of plasma extracts using RP-HPLC revealed an ultraviolet (UV) absorbance peak (270 nm) that was coincident with authentic LTB4 standard. The levels of i-LTB4 were significantly increased in BALF recovered from endotoxemic pigs (337 +/- 71 vs 53 +/- 13 pg/ml for saline controls). Endotoxin also increased the postmortem wet/dry ratio of bloodless lung and BALF albumin concentration, indicating pulmonary edema and increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, respectively. We conclude that LTB4 is increased in plasma and BALF recovered from endotoxemic pigs and that this lipoxygenase metabolite could possibly be an important factor contributing to the pathophysiology of endotoxin-induced ARF.     

Dexamethasone blocks increased leukotriene B4 production during endotoxin-induced lung injury

We hypothesized that leukotriene B4 (LTB4) might be produced during endotoxemia in pigs and, if so, might play a role in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory failure. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h, followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3 h. Endotoxemic pigs were treated with dexamethasone (DEX, iv) 18 h (5 mg/kg) and 1 h (5 mg/kg) before onset of endotoxemia. During phases I (i.e., 0-2 h) and II (i.e., 2-4 h), endotoxin decreased cardiac index, caused granulocytopenia, and increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, alveolar-arterial O2 gradient, and hematocrit. During phase II, plasma LTB4 levels were increased (as determined by radioimmunoassay, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and ultraviolet spectroscopy). Endotoxin increased the levels of LTB4 and albumin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). DEX blocked or greatly attenuated the endotoxin-induced hemodynamic abnormalities and blocked the increases in plasma and BALF LTB4 levels. We conclude that LTB4 is produced during porcine endotoxemia and could possibly play a role in the pathophysiology of endotoxin-induced lung injury in anesthetized pigs.     

Dimethylthiourea attenuates endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure in pigs

We hypothesized that toxic O2 radicals might be important mediators of endotoxin-induced acute respiratory failure in pigs. As a relatively specific scavenger of .OH, we infused dimethylthiourea (DMTU, 1 g/kg) before endotoxemia. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized 10- to 14-wk-old pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h, followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3.5 h. During phase 1 (i.e., 0-2 h) and phase 2 (i.e., 2-4.5 h), endotoxin decreased cardiac index (CI) and increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), alveolar-arterial O2 gradient (AaDo2), and hematocrit (Hct). Endotoxemia also caused leukopenia and increased the postmortem bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) albumin concentration and wet weight-to-dry weight ratio of bloodless lung. Dimethylthiourea did not significantly modify the phase 1 response. However, during phase 2, DMTU attenuated the endotoxin-induced decrease in CI and increases in Ppa, PVR, Hct, AaDo2, lung water, and BALF albumin concentration. In separate groups of endotoxin- and DMTU + endotoxin-treated pigs, lung microvascular hydrostatic pressure was increased to approximately 16 Torr (by fluid overload) to assess alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. Under these conditions, DMTU markedly attenuated the endotoxin-induced increase in alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. Under these conditions, DMTU markedly attenuated the endotoxin-induced induced increase in alveolar-capillary membrane permeability. We conclude that .OH (and possibly H2O2) significantly contributes to endotoxin-induced lung injury in anesthetized pigs.     

Possible involvement of endogenous beta-endorphin in the pathophysiological mechanisms of Pichinde virus-infected guinea pigs.

Previously, we demonstrated that naloxone, an opiate antagonist, prolonged survival of strain 13 guinea pigs infected with Pichinde virus. Thus, endogenous opiates may be involved in the pathogenesis of this viral disease. To determine whether endogenous opiate levels were affected by Pichinde viral infection, beta-endorphin concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of normal and infected strain 13 guinea pigs were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin concentrations were 78.0 +/- 13.2 pg/ml on postinoculation day (PID) 7, 59.0 +/- 5.6 pg/ml on PID 12, and 58.8 +/- 5.4 pg/ml on PID 14. These values were significantly higher than baseline levels of CSF beta-endorphin: 30.8 +/- 1.9 pg/ml. Plasma beta-endorphin concentrations of infected animals increased significantly to 202.1 +/- 17.9 pg/ml on PID 7 and to 154.2 +/- 21.4 pg/ml on PID 12 from a mean baseline value of 84.2 +/- 13.1 pg/ml. After a primer intravenous injection of beta-endorphin (10, 15, or 30 micrograms/kg), followed by constant infusion of beta-endorphin (15, 45, or 90 micrograms/kg.hr) to control noninfected guinea pigs, heart rate (except with the lowest dose) and mean blood pressure decreased markedly. Under these experimental conditions, concentrations of plasma and CSF beta-endorphin increased simultaneously with different magnitude. Because both Pichinde viral infection and beta-endorphin administration produced a similar trend of cardiovascular disturbances, leading to hypotension and bradycardia, increased concentrations of plasma and CSF beta-endorphin may play a partial role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of Pichinde virus infection.     

Reduction of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in tracheal fluid by high frequency oscillatory ventilation

The effects of high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) and conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) on tracheal secretion were compared in 6 anesthetized dogs. Using a double-balloon endotracheal catheter, 5 ml of saline was instilled into an isolated tracheal segment during HFOV and CMV for 10 min respectively. Two eicosanoids, 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 11-dehydrothromboxane B2 (11-dehydro-TXB2) were measured by radioimmunoassay in each sample. HFOV (stroke volume: 6 ml/kg, f: 10 Hz, bias flow: 5 l/min) and CMV (stroke volume: 12 ml/kg, f: 15/min) were performed in random sequence and achieved comparable gas exchange. The concentration of 15-HETE in tracheal fluid during HFOV (87 +/- 67 pg/ml) was decreased to less than half of that during CMV (286 +/- 184 pg/ml, P less than 0.05), while there was no significant change of 11-dehydro-TXB2 either in tracheal fluid or in plasma. This reduction of 15-HETE was tended to be enhanced by vagotomy (HFOV: 42 +/- 14, CMV: 120 +/- 103 pg/ml) with the concentration ratio of CMV/HFOV remaining unchanged. HFOV may provide hitherto unrecognized advantage over CMV by reducing airway secretion of 15-HETE, a potent inflammatory mediator.     

Role of neutrophils in endotoxin-mediated microvascular injury in hamsters.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of circulating neutrophils in endotoxin-induced increase in microvascular permeability in vivo. Fifteen hamsters were anesthetized, and a plastic chamber was placed in each cheek pouch to observe the microvasculature. Fluorescein-labeled dextran (FITC-D, 150 kDa) was injected intravenously, and changes in leaky sites and FITC-D clearance were measured in three groups: control (saline, n = 4), endotoxin suffusion (n = 6), and endotoxin suffusion after neutropenia induction (n = 5). We found a significant increase in leaky sites and FITC-D clearance with endotoxin (45 +/- 18/cm2 and 20 +/- 6 x 10(-6) ml/min, respectively; mean +/- SD, P less than 0.05) in comparison to control (7 +/- 6/cm2 and 7 +/- 5 x 10(-6) ml/min) and endotoxin suffusion in neutropenic animals (19 +/- 11/cm2 and 12 +/- 4 x 10(-6) ml/min). There was a significant correlation between the number of leaky sites and FITC-D clearance (r = 0.91, P less than 0.01) and between the number of circulating neutrophils and FITC-D clearance (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01). We conclude that endotoxin-mediated increase in microvascular permeability in the peripheral circulation is dependent in part on circulating neutrophils.     

Development of a radioimmunoassay for 15-HETE and its application to 15-HETE production by reticulocytes

Mono-hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acids (HETE's) are frequently the principal lipoxygenase-derived products in a number of cell types. This paper describes the development of a selective and sensitive radioimmunoassay procedure for 15-HETE, a metabolite which has previously been shown to be both an activator and inhibitor of leukotriene formation in various cells. Initially, rabbits were immunized with 15-HETE conjugated to bovine serum albumin. After seven months, the anti-plasma showed significant binding of tritiated 15-HETE (40-45% binding with a 1:600 dilution of the anti-plasma) which was displaceable by cold 15-HETE. The sensitivity of the assay was approximately 20 pg. of 15-HETE. The anti-plasma exhibited very little (less than 1%) cross-reactivity with arachidonic acid, 5-, 8-, 9-, 11- and 12-HETE's, HHT, TXB2, PGE2 and 6-Keto-PGF1 alpha. Significant cross-reactivity was observed with 5,15-diHETE (53%), 8, 15-diHETE (6.6%), and several other 15-hydroxy-eicosanoids. Rabbit reticulocytes have a very active 15S-lipoxygenase and converted arachidonic acid (final concentration 7 microM) principally to 15-HETE. Unstimulated reticulocytes were found to release negligible amounts of 15-HETE as determined by radioimmunoassay. Treatment of these cells with the calcium ionophore A23187 (0.16 to 4.0 micrograms/ml) elicited a level of 15-HETE release (8 - 14 ng/ml) that was twenty to forty times less than that obtained with exogenous arachidonic acid (2.5 micrograms/ml). The radioimmunoassay reported here may be useful for identifying factors which stimulate cellular release of 15-HETE and other 15-hydroxy-eicosanoids from endogenous arachidonic acid.     

Effect of LY171883 on endotoxin-induced lung injury in pigs

We evaluated the role of sulfidopeptide leukotrienes as mediators of endotoxin-induced respiratory failure in pigs. Escherichia coli endotoxin (055-B5) was infused intravenously into anesthetized 10- to 14-wk-old pigs at 5 micrograms/kg the 1st h followed by 2 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 for 3 h in the presence and absence of LY171883, a specific leukotriene D4 (LTD4)/LTE4 receptor antagonist. Endotoxin caused hemoconcentration, granulocytopenia, decreased cardiac index, systemic hypotension, pulmonary hypertension, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, bronchoconstriction, hypoxemia, increased permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, pulmonary edema, and increased plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 (TxB2), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha), and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. LY171883 did not modify endotoxin-induced cardiopulmonary and hematologic abnormalities, except for a modest attenuation of pulmonary hypertension (at 1 h) and increased pulmonary vascular resistance (at 1-2 h). Ex vivo stimulation of whole blood with calcium ionophore caused large increases in plasma concentrations of TxB2, PGF2 alpha, and LTB4. These increases were not significantly modified in blood derived from pigs treated with LY171883, indicating no inhibition of cyclooxygenase or 5-lipoxygenase. We conclude that LTD4 and LTE4 are not important mediators of endotoxin-induced lung injury in anesthetized pigs, although they may contribute modestly to pulmonary vasoconstriction.     

The differences in 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and thromboxane B2 release from guinea pig platelets.

Anti-12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE)-antibody and anti-thromboxane B2 (TXB2)-antibody were generated and applied to the radioimmunoassay. The detection limit for 12-HETE was 16 pg. The cross-reactivities of anti-12-HETE-antibody were 4.6% for 15-HETE, 0.18% for 5-HETE and below 0.15% for leukotrienes and prostaglandins (PGs). 12-HETE and TXB2 released from guinea pig platelets were measured by radioimmunoassay. Platelet activating factor (PAF) at 10(-9) M induced the aggregation of platelets, the releases of immunoreactive-12-HETE (1.8 +/- 1.2 ng/10(8) platelets, mean +/- S.D.) and immunoreactive-TXB2 (18.5 +/- 17.3 ng/10(8) platelets). Collagen at 1 microgram/ml also evoked platelet aggregation, the releases of immunoreactive-12-HETE (2.7 +/- 1.1 ng/10(8) platelets) and immunoreactive-TXB2 (11.8 +/- 4.6 ng/10(8) platelets). By the stimulation with these compounds, TXB2 was produced in a greater amount than 12-HETE from guinea pig platelets. Although 10(-7) M and 10(-6) M U46619, a TXA2 mimetic, caused platelet aggregation, arachidonic acid metabolites were not released. These data suggest the presence of different mechanisms of platelet activation depending on each stimulus.     

Inhibition of dipeptidyl-peptidase IV does not increase circulating IGF-1 concentrations in growing pigs

The enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inactivates a variety of bioactive peptides, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH). Inhibiting DPP-IV in order to increase circulating GLP-1 is of interest as a treatment for Type II diabetes. Inactivation of DPP-IV may also increase circulating GHRH, potentially enhancing growth in domestic animals. To test the hypothesis that inhibition of DPP-IV activity will influence the growth hormone/ IGF-1 axis, growing pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus, 78 kg) were treated with a DPP-IV inhibitor (Compound 1, the 2,5-difluor-ophenyl analog of the triazolopiperazine MK0431, sitagliptin), and plasma concentrations of IGF-1 were monitored. Pigs were administered either sterile saline (0.11 ml/kg followed by a continuous infusion at 2 ml/hr for 72 hrs, controls, n = 2), Compound 1 (2.78 mg/kg followed by a continuous infusion at 0.327 mg/kg x hr for 72 hrs, n = 4) or GHRH (0.11 ml/kg sterile saline, followed by a continuous infusion of GHRH at 2.5 microg/ kg x hr for 48 hrs, n = 4). Plasma concentrations of Compound 1 were maintained at 1 microM, which resulted in a 90% inhibition of circulating DPP-IV activity. Relative to the predose 24-hr period, area under the IGF-1 concentration curve (AUC) tended to be lower (P = 0.062) with Compound 1 (.79 +/- 130 ng/ml x hr) than controls (543 +/- 330 ng/ml x hr). GHRH treatment increased the IGF-1 AUC (1210 +/- 160 ng/ml x hr, P = 0.049 vs. controls and P = 0.001 vs. Compound 1). We conclude that inhibition of DPP-IV does not alter the circulating levels of IGF-1 in the growing pig.     

Antioxidants attenuate endotoxin-induced microvascular leakage of macromolecules in vivo.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether antioxidants attenuate endotoxin-induced microvascular hyper-permeability for macromolecules in the hamster cheek pouch. Twenty-two adult male Syrian hamsters were anesthetized, and a removable plastic chamber was placed in the cheek pouch to observe and collect suffusate from the microvasculature. Fluorescent-labeled dextran (FITC-D; mol wt 150,000) was injected intravenously, and changes in the number of microvascular leaky sites and microvascular clearance of FITC-D were measured in five groups: saline control (group 1, n = 4), endotoxin (0.1 mg/ml) suffusion for 120 min (group 2, n = 6), endotoxin plus dimethyl sulfoxide (1.0 g/kg iv; group 3, n = 4), endotoxin plus allopurinol (30 mg/kg ip; group 4, n = 4), and endotoxin plus dimethyl sulfoxide and allopurinol (group 5, n = 4). The number of leaky sites and the FITC-D clearance were significantly higher in group 2 [45 +/- 18 (SD) sites/cm2 and 20 +/- 6 X 10(-6) ml/min, respectively; P less than 0.01] than in group 1 (7 +/- 6 sites/cm2 and 7 +/- 5 X 10(-6) ml/min), group 3 (9 +/- 5 sites/cm2 and 8 +/- 2 X 10(-6) ml/min), group 4 (11 +/- 7 sites/cm2 and 9 +/- 4 X 10(-6) ml/min), and group 5 (11 +/- 6 sites/cm2 and 7 +/- 1 x 10(-6) ml/min). The leaky sites appeared predominantly in postcapillary venules. There was a positive and significant correlation between the number of leaky sites and FITC-D clearance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Evidence for pulmonary release of 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) during endotoxemia in unanesthetized sheep

Leukocyte trapping in the pulmonary circulation may be an important component of the lung vascular injury response to endotoxin, but mediators of the pulmonary leukostasis and increased lung vascular permeability are unknown. The leukocyte 5-lipoxygenation pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism yields highly biologically active products including leukotrienes C₄ and D₄ (formerly slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis) and the potent chemotaxin, leukotriene B₄. A major product of 5-lipoxygenation is 5-hydroxy-6,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE), for which a sensitive, stable isotope dilution assay employing combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is available. This assay was used to test the hypothesis that 5-lipoxygenation products might participate in pulmonary vascular responses to endotoxin. We measured 5-HETE concentrations in lung lymph at three intervals during endotoxemia in unanesthetized sheep. Concentrations of 5-HETE in lung lymph exceeded those in aortic blood plasma. Lymph 5-HETE concentrations increased from 1.7±0.3 (mean ± SEM, N = 7) ng/ml during baseline to peak values of 6.1±1.8 ng/ml (p < 0.05) during the hours after endotoxemia and preceeding the steady state increased lung vascular permeability response. During the increased permeability steady state from 240 to 270 minutes after endotoxin, lymph 5-HETE concentrations (1.4±0.3 ng/ml) and lymph 5-HETE flow (i.e., 5-HETE concentration x lung lynph flow rate) returned to baseline values. Although these observations are consistent with the hypothesis that 5-lipoxygenation products participate in the pulmonary vascular injury response to endotoxin, lymph 5-HETE concentrations did not correlate with any of the other experimental measurements. It may be only coincidence that the increase in lymph 5-HETE concentrations appeared contemporaneous with the onset of lung vascular injury.     

Plasma glucagon-immunoreactive components in early life in dogs

High plasma concentrations of C-terminal immunoreactive glucagon (IRG) have been found during early life in several mammalian species. We have analyzed the plasma IRG of 12 h to 60 day-old dogs in terms of the 4 peaks (IRG greater than 20,000, IRG9000, IRG3500 and IRG2000) obtained by gel filtration on Bio-Gel P-30. Significant changes with age and in response to administered agents were confined to IRG9000 and IRG3500. IRG9000 was 9-fold higher in 12-36 h old dogs than in adults (108 +/- 24 pg/ml pancreatic glucagon equivalents v. 12 +/- 3 pg/ml, mean +/- SEM) and showed a decline to 2-fold higher (27 +/- 5 pg/ml) at 31-60 days. IRG3500 was higher than in the adult only during the first 36 h of life (36 +/- 5 pg/ml v. 15 +/- 3 pg/ml). Arginine infusion (0.5 g/kg over 15 min) caused an increase in plasma levels of both IRG9000 and IRG3500 in the newborn, whereas in adult dogs only IRG3500 was increased. Insulin injection (0.2 U/kg intravenously) causing a marked hypoglycemia had no significant effect on the plasma level of any IRG component in newborn dogs. Dihydrosomatostatin infusion (10 micrograms/kg bolus +/- 90 micrograms/kg over 30 min) caused a decrease in both IRG9000 and IRG3500. The increased basal level and secretory response to arginine of IRG9000 in newborn dogs may reflect an immaturity of the A cells, whereby more of this component, which may represent a precursor of pancreatic glucagon, is secreted than in the adult. The immature A cells also appear to have an impaired secretory response to hypoglycemia.     

Antioxidants protect cultured bovine lung endothelial cells from injury by endotoxin

Endotoxin injures bovine pulmonary endothelial cells in culture but the cytotoxicity is unaffected by a host of antiinflammatory drugs. We hypothesized that agents which could decrease intracellular concentrations of toxic metabolites of O2 would prevent endotoxin effects on cultured pulmonary artery endothelial cells. We measured endotoxin-induced release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from and production of prostanoids by cultured bovine pulmonary endothelial cells in the presence and absence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol. Escherichia coli endotoxin (0.001-10 micrograms/ml) caused a dose-related release of LDH and stimulated production of both prostacyclin [measured as 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha)] and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Both DMSO and allopurinol decreased endotoxin-induced LDH release; this effect was related to concentration of the drugs (0-2% for DMSO and 0-0.3 mg/ml for allopurinol). Both drugs also prevented endotoxin-induced changes in endothelial morphology. Endotoxin increased intracellular reduction of the redox dye nitro blue tetrazolium, caused intracellular oxidation of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate and caused release of conjugated dienes from endothelial cells; both DMSO and allopurinol inhibited those responses. DMSO, but not allopurinol, prevented endotoxin-induced production of prostacyclin and PGE2 by endothelium. Direct injury of pulmonary endothelium by endotoxin is inhibited by two chemically dissimilar drugs which have a common potential for decreasing intracellular concentrations of toxic metabolites of O2; indirect evidence suggests that potential as a mechanism for the protective effects of the drugs.     

ACTH-, glucose- and lactate-content of swine plasma during insulin-induced hypoglycemia]

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the content of ACTH, glucose and lactate in plasma of 4 pigs (body weight 82--118 kg) during a circadian period and during an insulin hypoglycemia test using 1 IU/kg in 3 pigs (body weight 96--118 kg) and 4 pigs (body weight 20--30 kg). The plasma ACTH level at rest was 57 +/- 27 pg/ml (Mean +/- SE) for all samples in all animals during a circadian period. Significant diurnal changes were not observed. During insulin-induced hypoglycaemia plasma ACTH rose from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 35 +/- 15 to a maximum of 673 +/- 100 pg/ml at 60 min in heavier pigs and in lighter pigs to 395 +/- 153 at 30 min and 403 +/- 145 pg/ml at 120 min. Initial ACTH responses were evident 30 min (heavier pigs) and between 0 and 15 min (lighter pigs) after insulin administration. Plasma glucose decreased from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 80 +/- 10 to a minimum of 6 +/- 1 mg/100 ml at 60 min (heavier pigs) and from 88 +/- 3 to 16 +/- 4 mg/100 ml at 60 min (lighter pigs). After its minimum level the glucose concentration showed a slower increment in the heavier pigs as compared to lighter animals. Plasma lactate rose from a mean (+/- SE) basal level of 19 +/- 10 to a maximum of 76 +/- 42 mg/100 ml at 120 min (heavier pigs) and from 12 +/- 3 to 37 +/- 16 mg/100 ml at 150 min (lighter group). In accordance with the changes in the blood plasma levels of ACTH, glucose and lactate, the clinical symptoms of hypoglycaemia in heavier pigs were more intensive.     

Absorption of Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) from the uteri of postpartum dairy cows

An experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that Escherichia coli (E. coli ) endotoxin is readily absorbed from uteri of early postpartum cows and that the absorbed endotoxin provokes systemic relcase of prostaglandins. Eleven postpartum Holstein dairy cows (aged 3 to 7 yr) with normal puerperium were selected and divided into a treatment group (n=7), which received intrauterine infusions of E. coli endotoxin, and a control group (n=4), which received intrauterine infusions of 10 ml of saline on Days 5 and 20 post partum. Blood samples were collected once every 30 min for 6 h starting from the time of infusion. Harvested sera samples were analyzed for concentrations of stable metabolites of prostacyclin (PCM), prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGFM), and thromboxane A(2) (TXB(2)). Plasma samples were qualitatively tested for the presence of endotoxin. Endotoxin was detected in the plasma samples of cows that received endotoxin on Day 5 post partum 4 h after the infusion. Endotoxin was not detected in any of the samples from control cows on Days 5 and 20 post partum or from treatment group cows on Day 20 post partum. Cows treated on Day 5 post partum showed increases in serum PGFM concentrations from 710 +/-64pg/ml to peak concentrations of 1223 +/- 47 pg/ml within 2 h, followed by a decline to baseline concentrations within 4 h. The amount of PGFM released in treated cows on Day 5 post partum was higher (P < 0.05) than in control cows on Day 5 or in treated and control cows on Day 20 post partum. Serum PCM concentrations increased from 156+/-24 pg/ml to peak concentrations of 1348+/-127 pg/ml within 1 h. The amount of PCM released in treated cows on Day 5 postpartum was higher (P< 0.05) than in control cows on Day 5 or in treated and control cows on Day 20 post partum. The TXB(2) concentrations increased from 315+/-38 pg/ml to peak concentrations of 5043 +/- 242 pg/ml within 1 h and fell to baseline concentrations within 5 h. The amount of TXB(2) concentrations released in treated cows on Day 5 post partum was significant (P < 0.05) compared with those of cows in the other groups. The results support the hypothesis that uteri of early postpartum cows are capable of absorbing endotoxin, and the absorbed endotoxin provokes changes in the serum concentrations of prostanoids.     

Estrone sulfate and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations in normal subjects and men with cirrhosis.

Circulation levels of estrone sulfate (E1S) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) have been measured in plasma using a radioimmunoassay for estrone and dehydroepiandrosterone following extraction and hydrolysis of the sulfate. The mean +/- SE concentrations of E1S and DHAS in normal men were 458 +/- 25 pg/ml and 1.45 +/- 0.19 micrograms/ml, respectively. In normal women the values for days 5-7 of the cycle were 880 +/- 117 pg/ml and 1.25 +/- 0.12 micrograms/ml which were not different than the values for days 20-22 of 1195 +/- 176 pg/ml and 1.58 +/- 0.29 micrograms/ml. The mean values in post-menopausal women were 250 +/- 33 pg/ml and 0.47 +/- 0.07 micrograms/ml, both lower than the values in young women. In a group of cirrhotic men the mean values were 325 +/- 55 pg/ml and 0.38 +/- 0.12 micrograms/ml, both significantly lower than the normal values. This suggests a defect in sulfurylation in men with hepatic cirrhosis.     

Neutrophil depletion does not prevent lung edema after endotoxin infusion in goats

Neutropenia was produced in goats by injection of either nitrogen mustard, (1.5 mg/kg) or hydroxyurea (200 mg X kg-1 X day-1). A nitrogen mustard (M + E) group (n = 6), a hydroxyurea (H + E) group (n = 5), and a control (E) group (n = 7) were given 1-h infusions of endotoxin (5 micrograms/kg total dose), then monitored for up to 5 h. Postmortem extravascular lung water (EVLW) was significantly higher in the M + E group (14.2 +/- 4.4 ml/kg) and the E group (11.9 +/- 3.9 ml/kg) when compared with a normal control (6.6 +/- 1.3 ml/kg) group that did not receive endotoxin. EVLW in a group made neutropenic with nitrogen mustard (6.7 +/- 1.3 ml/kg) and the H + E (7.9 +/- 1.5 ml/kg) groups were not statistically different from each other or from normal controls. Circulating neutrophil counts averaged 32 +/- 42 cells/microliter in the M + E group and 180 +/- 210 cells/microliter in the H + E group. Only minimal histological changes were seen in the H + E group, but the E and M + E lungs had severe pulmonary edema. We conclude that neutrophils are not required for increased EVLW and decreased arterial O2 partial pressure after endotoxin infusion, and hydroxyurea prevents at least part of the pulmonary edema after endotoxin by a mechanism that is not neutrophil dependent.     

Endotoxin inactivating activity of rat serum

The ability of rat serum to inactivate endotoxin (LPS) was assessed with the aid of the limulus amebocyte lysate assay. Following the addition of various amounts of endotoxin to normal serum the mixture was incubated for 1 hr at 37 degrees C and the residual endotoxin activity determined. One milliliter of rat serum inactivated between 5 and 10 micrograms Escherichia coli LPS per hour. Heating serum for 45 min at 56 degrees C resulted in loss of 80-90% of the LPS inhibitor (LPSI) activity. Serum from cobra venom factor (CVF)-treated rats inactivated between 0.5 and 2.5 micrograms LPS/ml serum. Serum from tolerant rats, even after heating for 45 min at 56 degrees C, inactivates between 10 and 15 micrograms LPS/ml serum/hr; decomplemented tolerant rat serum neutralizes between 5 and 10 micrograms LPS/ml serum/hr. Clearly, the tolerant rat has large quantities of LPSI activity, which does not appear to be complement. The inhibitor found in tolerant rat serum is not species specific since it inactivates Salmonella minnesota and Salmonella typhimurium endotoxins to the same degree and in the same amount as E. coli endotoxin, the agent used to induce tolerance. Both heating serum (56 degrees C) and lead acetate reduce LPSI activity.