Studies on the effects of lipopolysaccharide on lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte and its reversal by mannitol and glycerol.

Gram-negative sepsis often produces endotoxin (LPS) which causes infection. Reduction in tissue perfusion due to microcirculatory failure may lead to septic shock. We studied the effect of LPS on lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte. In vitro studies using 50 microg to 250 microg LPS/ml blood showed increased lipid peroxidation of erythrocyte in a dose-dependent manner. The increased effect of lipid peroxidation does not occur with LPS when erythrocytes were washed to remove plasma and leukocytes. Mannitol and glycerol, known scavengers of hydroxyl radical, arrest the elevation in lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes after LPS treatment. Hemolysis of erythrocytes was reduced with low doses of LPS. Plasma lipid peroxidation was elevated after treatment of blood with LPS. From the results we suggest that the peroxidation of erythrocyte lipid caused by LPS may probably play a role in the production of septic shock.