The production of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) by spaced injections of endotoxin in nonpregnant, normolipaemic rats

Abstract Two or three spaced injections of endotoxin, given at 2 or 4 hour intervals to nonpregnant, normolipaemic rats, resulted in a decrease of the coagulability of blood associated with fibrin deposition in the liver and lung. In two series of experiments it was shown that an optimal dose of endotoxin exists for the production of stainable fibrin in liver veins and sinusoids, in the lungs, and, in particular, for the production of thrombopenia. Lower and higher doses of endotoxin did not lead to the same extent of thrombopenia. In contrast, the fibrinolytic activity of the lungs decreased in proportion to the increase in the doses of endotoxin. There were signs of increased activity of lysosomal enzymes of the reticular endothelial system after administration of both small and large doses of endotoxin.