ENDOTOXIN INACTIVATING ACTION OF PLASMA IN PATIENTS WITH LIVER-CIRRHOSIS

The endotoxin inactivating action of plasma was evaluated in 62 patien ts with cirrhosis and 10 healthy subjects. Endotoxin from E. coli 0111 :B4 was added to each plasma sample to a final concentration of 250 p g/ml and the percentage loss of endotoxin activity by incubation (37 d egrees C for 1 h) was calculated as the endotoxin inactivating rate. T he plasma endotoxin inactivating rate in cirrhotics was significantly greater than that in healthy subjects, although patients with Child C cirrhosis and marked hyperbilirubinemia had a significantly lower endo toxin inactivating rate than other cirrhotics. The plasma endotoxin in activating rate was positively correlated to serum HDL-cholesterol lev els. In patients with Child A and Child B cirrhosis, the endotoxin ina ctivating rate was positively correlated to the endotoxin binding capa city of plasma albumin. The present results support the assumption tha t the plasma of cirrhotics has a high endotoxin inactivating capacity. Its decrease may augment endotoxicity in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.