SENSITIZATION TO GENERALIZED SHWARTZMAN REACTION BY CATECHOL-O-METHYLTRANSFERASE INHIBITORS

  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 92  (2) , 377-387
Abstract
The generalized Shwartzman reaction (GSR) was produced by a single injection of endotoxin [etox] in male rats pretreated with catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (tropolone, pyrogallol). Such a result was not obtained with inhibitors (pargyline, phenelzine, isocarboxazide) of the monoamine oxidase (MAO). The inhibitors of the COMT enhanced the action of etox on the coagulation system as evidenced by the increased consumptions of Hageman factor, fibrinogen and platelets. Tropolone-treated rabbits did not require exogenous stimulation of .alpha.-adrenergic receptor sites by norepinephrine to localize thrombi in the glomerular capillaries when Hageman factor was activated by ellagic acid and fibrinolysis inhibited by .epsilon.-aminocaproic acid. Interference with the degradation of circulating catecholamines results in sensitization to the generalized Shwartzman reaction.