Platelet-activating factor induces intestinal necrosis, but not septic shock, in germ-free and specific-pathogen-free rodents.
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) was injected into conventional mice, endotoxin-resistant mice (C3H/HEJ), conventional rats, germ-free rats and specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice. The PAF resulted in significant necrosis and damage to the small intestines of all the animals tested. In general, the frequency and severity of the lesions were similar in all groups. All the conventional rats and mice, as well as the endotoxin-resistant HEJ mice, were dead 18 h after the injection of the PAF, while all the germ-free rats and the SPF mice survived. These data demonstrate that development of massive intestinal lesions, in the absence of aerobic bacteria, is not sufficient to cause the death of the host from septic shock and endotoxaemia.
Schiffrin
E J
EJ
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Trop
M
M
Schroeder
S
S
Carter
E A
EA
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009336:Necrosis; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D012485:Salmonella typhi; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000209:etiology*; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor