Abstract
We have previously reported that an experimental model of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) could be induced by continuous infusion of endotoxin (ET) at a dose of 3mg/kg during 3hrs, in rabbits. Using this model, the effects of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) against DIC were investigated. Our study was made in control rabbits and rabbits infused with PGE1. The animals were divided into 4 groups as follows;
Group I (control group): physiological saline infusion d-ET (3mg/kg) infusion
Group II (PGE1 group): PGE1 (125ng/kg/min) infusion+ET (3mg/kg) infusion
Group III (PGE1 group): PGE1 (25ng/kg/min) infusion+ ET (3mg/kg) infusion
Group IV (PGE1 group): PGE1 (5ng/kg/min) infusion+ET (3mg/kg) infusion
Tentative diagnostic criteria for DIC were designed as DIC scoring system. The DIC score was useful to determine the degree of the DIC state (DIC score>6 points) and evaluate the effects of PGE1 infusion against DIC. The results of the present study demonstrated the following scores for each group: 7.4±0.9 in Group I, 2.3±1.2 in Group II, 2. 8±1.5 in Group III, and 3.5±1.0 in Group IV. The inhibition of development of DIC was noted in PGE1 groups. However, mortality was not reduced in Group II against Group I. These results suggested that a moderate dose of PGE1 (Group III) might be most effective for prevention of DIC.
