Effect of Saline Infusion and Norepinephrine on Response of the Kidney to Bacterial Endotoxin.

Summary The generalized Shwartzman reaction has been produced in the non-pregnant rat by the injection of bacterial endotoxin and infusion of dextrose/saline over a 4 hour period. Intravenous infusion of dextrose/saline acts to “prepare” the rat for the generalized Shwartzman reaction. Alpha-adrenergic blockade by dibenzyline prevents the generalized Shwartzman reaction produced in this way and suggests that the combined effect of endotoxin plus dextrose/saline infusion acts to localize thrombi in glomerular capillaries by stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptor sites in the kidney. Exogenous norepinephrine infusion has little or no effect on the incidence of glomerular capillary thrombosis under the condition of these experiments.