Role of alpha1-antitrypsin and detoxification functions of the liver in the pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced fever.

CCl4-induced toxic damage to the liver in rats and rabbits is accompanied by inhibition of detoxifying functions of the liver and a decrease in plasma alpha1-antitrypsin content and core body temperature. Injection of pyrogenal stimulated detoxifying functions of the liver, elevated alpha1-antitrypsin content in the blood, and increased body temperature. Intravenous injection of alpha1-antitrypsin caused hyperthermia. No pyrogenal-induced hyperthermia was observed in animals with CC4-induced damage to the liver. These data indicate that functional activity of the liver and blood content of alpha1-antitrypsin play an important role in the mechanisms of thermoregulatory reactions to endotoxin.