Platelet kinetics and biodistribution in canine endotoxemia.

Kinetics and magnitudes of changes in Indium-labeled platelet biodistribution were studied in dogs given E. coli endotoxin. Marked, reversible, dose-dependent shifts of platelets from blood to lung and apparently irreversible shifts to liver were demonstrated. These were contemporaneous with alterations in blood gases and in pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics. Morphologic studies revealed atelectasis, sequestration of leukocytes and platelets in the lungs, and mild interstitial pulmonary edema. This study provides in vivo quantification of labeled platelet response to a specific stimulus, and illustrates a method that could be applied to more extensive study of blood element participation in acute lung injury.