Heparin protection in endotoxin shock

Abstract

Heparin was evaluated for ability to influence shock lethality and the alterations in blood leukocytes and body temperature produced by endotoxin. Pretreatment of male rats with heparin (1,000 USP units intravenously) markedly alleviated lethality to endotoxin shock induced by the intravenous injection of Boivin lipopolysaccharides of Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli. Heparin was protective at doses of S. enteritidis endotoxin of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mg/100 g, but did not provide a significant effect at 2.0 and 4.0 mg/100 g. Heparin administered either simultaneously with, or at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after endotoxin injection significantly reduced lethality, but it was ineffective when administered at 180 and 240 min after endotoxin. Leuko-penia occurred 120 min. after 0.5 mg of S. enteriditis endotoxin; heparin pretreatment maintained normal leukocyte levels after endotoxin treatment, but heparin alone induced a marked leukocytosis. Endotoxin hypothermia was not affected by heparin pretreatment. These results may implicate a role for heparin in the physiological defense against endotoxemia.