Inhibition of the Local Hemorrhagic Shwartzman Reaction by a Polypeptide Possessing Potent Antiprotease Activity

Abstract

Summary Severe local Shwartzman reactions have been induced in rabbits by endo-toxin as well as by granules isolated from polymorphonuclear cells. Administration of polypeptide possessing potent antiprotease activity inhibited regularly and almost completely the Shwartzman reaction induced either by endotoxin or by polymorphonuclear granules. It is hypothesized that the tissue damage observed in the Shwartzman reaction is conditioned by release or activation of intracellular lysosomal enzymes contained in granulocytes. I would like to express my gratitude to Professor Lewis Thomas for his pertinent suggestions and Melles A. Branellec and T. Neveu for skilled technical assistance. The gracious supply of the protease inhibitor “Zymofren” by the Society Specia is also acknowledged.