Controlled endotoxinemia in pigs. A suitable model for in vivo studies of some haemodynamic, humoral and cellular reactions.

To study the haemodynamic, cellular and humoral changes seen during septicemia-endotoxinemia a relatively large animal is needed. Pigs are satisfactory in size but have a tendency to develop malignant hyperthermia reaction to stress situations and certain anaesthetic agents. This problem was solved using a screening test of halothane exposure. When later used for experiments, the nonresponding pigs developed the typical hypokinetic low-flow state after endotoxin challenge seen in the advanced stage of septicemia in man. Decreased number of circulating leucocytes and platelets, increased tissue thromboplastin production in monocytes, and a significant coagulation disorder (DIC) were observed. Release of oxygen radicals and lysosomal enzymes from leucocytes could be estimated. Endotoxin levels in plasma were easily measured. This pig model of controlled endotoxinemia correlates well with some important haemodynamic, cellular and humoral reactions observed during human in vivo observations and in vitro studies. This model may thus be a valuable tool in clinical research of endotoxinemia and septicemia.