Effect of purified beta glucuronidase infusion in normal dogs and dogs with acidosis.

The effects of systemic infusion of purified beta glucuronidase, lactic acid and a combination of these were studied in normal dogs from the viewpoints of hemodynamics and blood coagulation. In none of the groups was an obvious deterioration in arterial blood pressure, pulse rate, central venous pressure, portal venous pressure and electrocardiogram observed after the infusions. On the other hand, beta glucuronidase infusion with preceding acidosis caused substantial thrombocytopenia accompanied by a decrease in fibrinogen levels and abnormal thromboelastogram. A similar trend was found by the infusion of beta glucuronidase only. An intermediate abnormality was found by the infusion of lactic acid alone. Histologically, fibrin clots in the pulmonary arteries were often observed in the dogs of all groups, but the quantitative difference among the groups was difficult to evaluate. In the present investigation, shock could not be produced, but other data seemed to indicate that increased levels of acid hydrolases in the blood are concerned with deterioration and irreversibility of shock, especially in an acidotic condition.