SEPTIC SHOCK - NO CORRELATION BETWEEN PLASMA-LEVELS OF NITRIC-OXIDE METABOLITES AND HYPOTENSION OR LETHALITY

In the Wistar rat (Riv:TOX strain), Escherichia coli-derived lipopolys accharide, up to 100 mg/kg did not affect blood pressure. However, 6 H after administration of live E. coli of Staphylococcus aureus (a micr oorganism without lipopolysaccharide), both dosed at 12X10(9) colony f orming units/kg mean arterial blood pressure significantly decreased t o 64% and 47% compared to control, respectively. In contrast to lipopo lysaccharide, bacteria produced a dose-dependent lethality within 24 h . Live S. aureus increased plasma levels of nitric oxide metabolites ( NOx) only four-fold, while both lipopolysaccharide and live E. coli ap proximately 20-fold. In conclusion, we demonstrated a lack of correlat ion between plasma NOx levels and hypotension or lethality.