Prophylaxis of superior mesenteric artery occlusion shock in rabbits by antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) antibodies.

Occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) is known to produce lethal shock in experimental animals, probably due to the presence of endotoxins released from the gut. A 60-min SMA occlusion shock was produced in 20 rabbits. Eight were pretreated with equine antilipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) hyperimmune plasma, and seven survived (87.5%) for 10 days. However, only 2 out of 12 (16.6% chi 2 = 9.73, P less than 0.001) control rabbits survived. These results support the concept that endotoxins are involved in the etiology of SMA occlusion shock and that anti-LPS therapy may therefore be useful in the prevention of endotoxic shock.