Experimental endotoxemia increases plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations in dogs with and without free-radical scavenger therapy.
Pentobarbital-anesthetized beagles were infused with physiologic saline (control dogs) or E. coli endotoxin (1.5 mg/kg i.v.) for 1 min. The plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) concentration, a potential index of endothelial damage, was monitored before and for 4 h after endotoxin challenge. The plasma vWf:Ag concentration increased only slightly in the control dogs (n = 6); whereas, in dogs infused with endotoxin (n = 20), the vWf:Ag concentration increased progressively to 2.1 times prechallenge values in 4 h. In addition to endotoxin, some of these dogs were treated with free-radical scavengers; allopurinol (n = 3), allopurinol plus superoxide dismutase and catalase (n = 6), or deferoxamine (n = 5). The free-radical scavengers did not prevent endotoxin-induced increases in vWf:Ag concentration.
Novotny
M J
MJ
Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia 65211.
Turrentine
M A
MA
Johnson
G S
GS
Adams
H R
HR
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D004926:Escherichia coli; D005609:Free Radicals; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000276:immunology*
D000941:Antigens; D004731:Endotoxins; D005609:Free Radicals; C029417:Von Willebrand antigen; D014841:von Willebrand Factor