Thrombocytopenia provoked by carrageenan in rabbits and the inhibitory effect of lysozyme.

Hen egg white lysozyme (Fleming's lysozyme) prevented the thrombocytopenia provoked by carrageenan injected intravenously into rabbits but not that provoked by an anaphylactic shock. Lysozyme was given intravenously at 25, 50, 100 mg/kg 30 sec before carrageenan. Platelets were counted 15 and 60 min after carrageenan. Lysozyme was given intravenously to immunized animals at the dose of 100 mg/kg 5 min before a challenging dose of the antigens (horse serum-ovalbumin). Platelets were counted 5 min after challenge. The results are discussed in the light of the intervention of platelets and prostaglandins into tumour spread and metastases dissemination.