Effect of Polymyxin B and Endotoxin on Renal Cortical Fibrinolysis 1

Summary

When given with the second dose of endotoxin, polymyxin B prevented both glomerular fibrin deposition and loss of lysis. Of interest was the fact that polymyxin B inhibited cortical lysis over a time interval similar to that induced by endotoxin. In vitro studies revealed that polymyxin B inhibits cortical lysis in the absence of serum. Inhibition of lysis with polymyxin B did not prepare for the generalized Shwartzman reaction. These studies demonstrate that, although polymyxin B neutralizes the effect of endotoxin, it also inhibits renal cortical fibrinolytic activity by a mechanism different than that of endotoxin. That polymyxin B-induced loss of cortical lysis did not prepare for the Shwartzman reaction suggests that multiple factors are involved in the production of the generalized Shwartzman reaction.