ESCHERICHIA-COLI SHOCK IN BABOON AND RESPONSE TO ADRENOCORTICOSTEROID TREATMENT

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 147  (4) , 545-557
Abstract
Methylprednisolone sodium succinate increases the survival rate of dogs given LD100 E. coli endotoxin. Effects of methylprednisolone on the baboon infused with live E. coli organisms were determined. Awake baboons were paired by infusing i.v. comparable doses of E. coli during a 5 h period. Baboons given methylprednisolone received bolus injections of 30 mg/kg at 15 min after infection and 2 h infusions of 15 mg/kg at 2 h intervals until death or for a 24 h period. The mortality was unaltered by methylprednisolone. Baboons [6/7] that were dying became progressively hypoglycemic, while hypoinsulemia occurred in all baboons within 6 h and was sustained until death. Systemic hypotension was observed, although pressures were variable. Lactate and K+ concentrations increased, while pH remained relatively constant in most baboons. Serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and arginaase concentrations rose in most baboons dying within 18 h. Results of morphologic studies revealed the presence of fibrin thrombi in the liver, kidney and adrenal tissue in most baboons. No significant differences in physiologic, metabolic, hematologic or morphologic parameters were observed between treated and untreated baboons.