Distribution of endotoxin and its effect on serum concentrations of C-reactive protein and cortisol in the plaice (Pleuronectes Platessa L.).

ABSTRACT

Bacterial endotoxins cause a significant increase in the serum concentration of both C-reactive protein (CRP) and cortisol in the plaice. The time course of the CRP elevation varies with the bacterial source, method of isolation of the endotoxin and the route of administration. Injection of the prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, indomethacin, 2 hr before endotoxin, abolishes the increases in both CRP and cortisol, whereas it has no effect when given 6 hr after. Using [51Cr]labeled endotoxin, 40% of the total injected dose was localized in the kidney and 36% in the spleen, 24 hr after i.v. injection. Uptake was five times greater per g of spleen than of kidney.