Endotoxin dose. I. Hemodynamic, metabolic, and lethal consequences in Yucatan minipigs.

This study was performed in part to establish an endotoxin dosage in miniature swine that would yield reproducible cardiovascular and metabolic aberrations over a specific 6-h sampling period, minimizing lethality during that time. Five groups of three 6-mo-old Yucatan miniature pigs were surgically fitted with jugular vein and carotid artery catheters. One week later they were placed in slings and infused for 6 h with Difco 055:B5 endotoxin at dosages of 0, 2.5, 7.5, 15, and 25 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1. Significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) time-dose interactions were observed in mean arterial pressure, plasma glucose, serum potassium, blood lactate, pyruvate, bicarbonate, pH, PO2, PCO2, and urea nitrogen. Significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) differences were seen in lethality by 5 days postendotoxin: 0 = 0%, 2.5 = 0%, 7.5 = 33%, 15 = 67%, and 25 = 100% lethal. These animals exhibited a sensitive dose response to endotoxin, often at two- or threefold dose differences. The 15 and 25 micrograms X kg-1 X h-1 groups consistently demonstrated the most profound changes in the parameters measured.