Dynamics of changes in the blood coagulation system, fibrynolysis and kallikreinogenesis in endotoxin shock in rabbits.

In rabbits intravenous injection of subtoxic doses of E. coli endotoxin serotype 02:K1 (10 micrograms/kg), resulted in the activation of intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of blood coagulation and, in some animals, simultaneous fall of the fibrinolytic activity which was manifested by hypercoagulability and intravascular coagulation already at the initial stage of the endotoxin shock. Among the earliest changes which appeared 30 min after endotoxin injection, was a decrease of blood platelets count and concentration of factor X in plasma. Out of the blood coagulation tests performed, most sensitive appeared the paracoagulation tests (particularly ethanol test). The second dose of endotoxin (20 micrograms/kg) injected 4 h later intensified the observed changes and autopsy of animals performed after further 4 h revealed extravasations of blood and hemorrhagic changes in the lungs, liver and occasionally in the kidneys. In spite of the above alterations, AT-III activity in the animals plasma decreased by ca. 30% as compared to the initial value.