Effect of Endotoxin on Vascular Reactivity to Epinephrine in the Perfused Dog Forelimb and Lung.

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Abstract
Previous studies suggested that the vascular response to epinephrine is altered by endotoxin. Since changes in vascular tone after endotoxin are observed in eviscerated dogs, the lethal effect of endotoxin might be partially based on an altered vascular reactivity to epinephrine. Varying amounts of Escherichia coli endo-toxin were intravascularly injected in a series of blood perfused dog lung and limb preparations. Arterial and Venous pressures were recorded up to 1 hour after endotoxin. Arterial inflow was maintained constant so that changes in perfusion pressure could be compared before and after endotoxin. Results from these studies fail to indicate any significant degree of altered response to epinephrine after administration of endotoxin. It thus appears that alterations in vascular reactivity to epinephrine may not be observed in all species and are probably unimportant in the dog.