Protective effect of radio-detoxified endotoxin (Tolerin) on the ultrastructure of pancreas in experimental endotoxin shock of rats.

The ultrastructural changes of pancreas exocrine cells were studied after the intravenous administration of endotoxin (LPS) or radio-detoxified endotoxin (150 kGy 60Co-gamma irradiated: RD-LPS or Tolerin). The LPS (1 mg/rat) induces an autolytic destruction in the membranes of the mitochondria of the pancreas exocrine cells. The RD-LPS given in similar dose does not produce any autolytic change. However, a small dose (100/micrograms/rat) of RD-LPS (Tolerin) as a pretreatment can protect the autolytic destruction of the mitochondria induced by LPS. This may be attributed to the membrane stabilizing effect of RD-LPS.