title: The value of polymixin B in endotoxaemia due to experimental obstructive jaundice and mesenteric ischaemia.
abstract: The role of polymixin B in endotoxaemia due to obstructive jaundice and mesenteric ischaemia has been examined. Rats made jaundiced by common bile duct ligation were challenged with intragastric endotoxin. Rats given polymixin B infusions had improved survival (11/15) compared with controls (4/14). Mesenteric ischaemia was induced in rats by clipping the mesenteric artery. Limulus assay revealed marked endotoxaemia in controls. Polymixin B infusions reduced the degree of endotoxaemia. Pre-treatment with non-absorbable intestinal antibiotics markedly reduced endotoxaemia. Polymixin B infusions gave no advantage of survival (3/10) compared with controls (2/10), but all animals pre-treated with intestinal antibiotics survived (12/12). The difference in results found between obstructive jaundice and mesenteric ischaemia may be due to different degrees of endotoxaemia. Polymixin B may have a place in the prophylaxis of endotoxaemia in clinical obstructive jaundice.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000150:complications*; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000097:blood*; D004926:Escherichia coli; D007511:Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D007854:Lead / Q000494:pharmacology; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries; D008641:Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion / Q000150:complications*; D011112:Polymyxin B / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011113:Polymyxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D014115:Toxemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D004731:Endotoxins; D011113:Polymyxins; D007854:Lead; D011112:Polymyxin B