THE ROLE OF EPINEPHRINE IN THE REACTIONS PRODUCED BY THE ENDOTOXINS OF GRAM-NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Abstract
The effects of endotoxin on the epinephrine reactivity of blood vessels in the rat mesoappendix have been studied. Following intravenous injection of a relatively small, sublethal dose of endotoxin, the terminal arterioles and venules exhibited greatly augmented and prolonged vasoconstrictor responses to epinephrine and norepinephrine. Hyperreactivity became evident within 30 minutes after injection of endotoxin, and persisted for as long as 6 hours.