Summary
Endotoxin levels were measured in sterile and bacterially infected ascites in a rat model of phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride induced cirrhosis was used. An improved chromogenic substrate assay was used to measure endotoxin. All rat ascites specimens were positive for endotoxin. In culture-negative ascites (n=8), it ranged from 0.05 EU/ml to 0.14 EU/ml (0.08±0.04 EU/ml, mean±SD) (Escherichia coli 0111:B4 endotoxin was used as a reference). In culture-positive ascites (premortem n=3, postmortem n=l), it ranged from 0.78 EU/ml to 1.8 EU/ml (1.29±0.59 EU/ml, mean±SD). All rats with premortem culture-positive ascites died within two days. This model is useful to study ascites endotoxin levels. In this study, increasing levels of ascites endotoxin correlated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and death.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tarao K, So K, Moroi T. et al. Detection of endotoxin in plasma and ascitic fluid of patients with cirrhosis: its clinical significance. Gastroenterology 1977;73:539–542.
Clemente C, Bosch J, Rodés J, et al. Functional renal failure and haemorrhagic gastritis associated with endotoxaemia in cirrhosis. Gut 1977;18:556–560.
Liehr H, Grün M. Clinical aspects of kupffer cell failure in liver diseases. In: Wisse E, & Knook DL, eds. Kupffer cells and other liver sinusoidal cells. Amsterdam-London-New York: Elsevier Publishing, 1977;427–436.
Funatsu K, Itsuji S, Tsukada N, et al. Quantitative assay of endotoxin in plasma and ascites in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis with a chromogenic limulus test. Prog Acute Abdom Med 1987;7:705–708. (in Japanese)
Runyon BA, Sugano S, Kanel G, Mellencamp MA. A rodent model of cirrhosis, ascites, and bacterial peritonitis. Gastroenterology 1991;100:489–493.
Fulenwider JT, Sibley C, Stein SF, et al. Endotoxemia of cirrhosis: an observation not substantiated. Gastroenterology 1980;78:1001–1004.
Iwanaga S, Morita T, Harada T, et al. Chromogenic substrates for horseshoe crab clotting enzyme. Its application for the assay of bacterial endotoxins. Haemostasis 1978;7:183–188.
Webster CJ. Principles of a quantitative assay for bacterial endotoxins in blood that uses limulus lysate and a chromogenic substrate. J Clin Microbiol 1980;12:644–650.
Proctor E, Chatamra K. High yield micronodular cirrhosis in the rat. Gastroenterology 1982;83:1183–1190.
Charbonneau M, Tuchweber B, Plaa GL. Acetone potentiation of chronic liver injury induced by administration of carbon tetrachloride. Hepatology 1986;6:684–700.
Runyon BA. Low-protein-concentration ascitic fluid is predisposed to spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Gastroenterology 1986;91:1343–1346.
Pinzello G, Simonetti RG, Graxi A, et al. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a prospective investigation in predominantly nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients. Hepatology 1983;3:545–549.
Yoshida H, Tanikawa K. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. KAN TAN SUI 1988;16:75–82. (in Japanese)
Runyon BA, Canawati HN, Akriviadis EA. Optimization of ascitic fluid culture technique. Gastroenterology 1988;95:1351–1355.
Steffen EK, Berg RD, Deitch EA. Comparison of translocation rates of various indigenous bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to the mesenteric lymph node. J Infect Dis 1988;157:1032–1038.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sugano, S. Endotoxin levels in cirrhotic rats with sterile and infected ascites. Gastroenterol Jpn 27, 348–353 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02777753
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02777753