Endotoxin-Induced Inhibition of Renal Function in the Mouse

Abstract

SummaryThe effect of endotoxin on mouse renal function was studied. The following dose-related changes were noted 18 hr after the intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin to mice: (i) Elevation of the blood, brain, and liver levels of urea nitrogen; (ii) decreased excretion of urinary urea nitrogen; (iii) diminished output of urine; and (iv) inhibition of the renal clearances of inulin and PAH. These findings clearly indicate that renal function is impaired in mice treated with relatively large doses of endotoxin. It is noteworthy that these doses exceed those usually required to demonstrate nonspecific resistance to experimental microbial infections in mice. Mice were rendered tolerant to the renal inhibitory effects and to the lethal effects of endotoxin by injecting them with a relatively low dose of endotoxin for 8 consecutive days prior to the administration of a high dose of endotoxin, which would ordinarily reduce renal function and produce 85% mortality in 72 hr.