In Vitro Influence of Bacterial Pyrogens on Adrenocortical Function of Perfused Calf Adrenals

Abstract

Purified, pyrogenic bacterial polysaccharides derived from Ps. aeruginosa E. coli and S. marcescens. when perfused through isolated calf adrenals in homologous blood (200, 20, and 20 [mu]g/l., resp.), induced an acute inhibition of the adrenocortical activity of either ACTH-stimulated or unstimulated glands, as evidenced by the diminutions in the UV, PS and FS corticoid outputs. Their depressant effect on maximally stimulated adrenals was 48, 51 and 41%, respectively. These same pyrogens, perfused in an artificial medium, failed to deplete the steroid-producing capacity. This suggests the occurrence of an intermediary reaction between the bacterial products tested and some cellular or humoral blood constituent.