Carbohydrate metabolism and survival of endotoxin-poisoned mice given tryptophan.

Severe hypoglycemia and increased deaths were observed among two strains of endotoxin-poisoned mice within 3 to 6 hr after tryptophan injection. Sensitivity to tryptophan could be demonstrated in Rockland Farms mice by 4 hr after endotoxin and in Carworth Farms (CF-1) mice by 10 hr after endotoxin. If allopurinol was given to CF-1 mice concurrently with endotoxin, severe hypoglycemia and increased deaths were observed when tryptophan was given only 4 hr after the bacterial poison. Cyproheptadine, an antiserotonin drug, decreased the number of deaths as well as the depletion of blood glucose in both strains of endotoxin-poisoned mice given a delayed injection of tryptophan. In most instances, liver glycogen was depleted by 8 to 10 hr after endotoxin. Correlation of liver glycogen levels with sensitivity to tryptophan was not as consistent as the correlation between blood glucose levels and hyperreactivity to the amino acid. The data show that severe hypoglycemia is a significant factor which must be considered in resolving the basis for increased deaths among endotoxin-poisoned mice given tryptophan.