Studies on “Ekiri”-inducing Factors.

Toxicity of filtrate of low nitrogen culture fluid of dysentery bacilli.

Abstract

Filtrate of low nitrogen culture fluid, in which dysentery bacilli had been cultured for 24 hours was investigated on it's toxicity, in order to study “ekiri”-inducing factors.
1) Rabbits previously given disodium malonate was investigated on the influence of this filtrate. It was made evident, that the blood level of aceton, acetacetic acid, 13-oxy-butyric acid, lactic acid, pyro-racemic acid, citric acid and a-keto-glutaric acid was markedly increased 2-4 hours after the use of this filtrate as compared with contrast culture fluid.
2) The influence of this filtrate on glycolysis was investigated by means of lactic acid determination.
In aerobic conditions, lactic acid production was more increased by this filtrate than by the contrast culture fluid.
In anaerobic conditions, no difference was recongnized between these two filtrates. At the same time, the endotoxin and the filtrate were compared on their activity. The former did not elevate the lactic acid production.
3) Regarding enzyme inhibiting activity, aconitase was inhibited by the filtrate, but isocitric dehydrogenase was not influenced. However, the aconitase inhibiting activity depended also on the amounts of hydrolysate of casein contained in the culture fluid, the highest activity being caused by 100-500 mg/L. The endotoxin demonstrated no such activity.
From these experimental results, it might be concluded, that toxic substance in the filtrate of culture fluid of dysentery bacilli is endowed with a different activity as endotoxin i. e. with an aconitase, an enzyme of T.C.A. cycle, inhibiting activity. In this connection, it is an interesting fact that an inhibition of T.C.A. cycle, particularly an obvious rise of citric acid and pyro-racemic acid is observed in the blood of “ekiri” patients.