Prevention of chronic peritonitis caused by osmotic dysequilibrium in rats.
OBJECTIVE
This study was done to determine whether peritonitis caused by osmotic dysequilibrium could be prevented by pretreatment.


METHODS
Young adult rats were used after induction of peritonitis by intraperitoneal injections of large volumes of pure water to create severe osmotic dysequilibrium.


METHODS
During the 1 or 2 weeks before induction of peritonitis, the rats were pretreated by intraperitoneal injections of small volumes of pure water or large volumes of moderately hypotonic electrolytes to produce a slight degree of osmotic dysequilibrium.


METHODS
Peritonitis was evaluated by macroscopic and microscopic study of peritoneal tissues.


RESULTS
The severity of peritonitis was greatly reduced by the pretreatments.


CONCLUSIONS
This study adds the peritoneum to the list of tissues in which adaptation to an injury can be accomplished by pretreatment with the same injurious agent, albeit in a less noxious form.
Levine
S
S
Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA.
Saltzman
A
A
D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000473:pathology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism
D014867:Water