METABOLISM OF ACID MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDES IN THE SHWARTZMAN PHENOMENON

Abstract

Metabolism of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulfate was studied with skin lesions produced by injections of Escherichiacoli endotoxin into rabbits. Incorporation of glucose-C14 and in vitro dilution of C14-labeled mucopolysaccharides (MPS) suggested an increased biosynthesis of the MPS at the site of the lesions. Deposition of chondroitin sulfate from blood may contribute to its increased concentration in the lesions. The results also suggest that the degree of incorporation of glucose may reflet glucose (pool) metabolism altered by illness. The MPS are basic compounds associated with the inflammatory response of the Shwartzman phenomenon but their specific role in the pathogenesis of the lesions needs to be defined by further study.