Plasma β-Lysin and Lysozyme Following Endotoxin Administration and the Generalized Shwartzman Reaction 1

Summary

A single iv injection of from 10 to 1000 μg of endotoxin/kg into rabbits did not alter the plasma β-lysin levels, but did cause a marked decrease in platelet number. The same endotoxin injections resulted in a 4- to 5-fold increase in plasma lysozyme and a dramatic drop in circulating leukocytes. Both β-lysin and lysozyme were released during generalized Shwartzman reaction. These increases in β-lysin and lysozyme were accompanied by corresponding decreases in platelets and leukocytes, respectively. In vitro studies revealed that leukocytes in citrated whole blood, obtained from animals primed for the Shwartzman reaction, released lysozyme following the addition of endotoxin; whereas leukocytes in blood taken from normal animals did not.