Rabbit CRP Response to Endotoxin Administration: Dose-Response Relationship and Kinetics

Abstract

The duration of the period of net CRP production and the amount of CRP formed by rabbits in response to intravenous administration of endotoxin was directly related to the dose of endotoxin administered. Serum CRP concentration increased exponentially after endotoxin injection, with a mean doubling time of 7.3 ± 1.8 hr. In 71% of rabbits, the phase of exponential increase in CRP concentration appeared to begin immediately after injection, while an average lag period of 6 hr was noted in the remainder. The data suggests that mediators inducing CRP synthesis by the liver act in an all-or-none manner, the amount of CRP formation depending on the duration of the mediating stimulus.