ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To study the role of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in endotoxin shock. METHODS: The changes of CO levels and the effects of zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), an inhibitor of heme-oxygenase (HO), in endotoxin shock and the efficacy of hemin, an inducer of HO were investigated. RESULTS: The plasma CO levels were found to be significantly increased during the course of endotoxin shock. Injection of ZnPP was shown to abrogate the endotoxin-induced hypotension and metabolic derangements markedly. Administration of hemin to healthy rabbits revealed the hypotension and metabolic derangements similar to the animals given endotoxin. CONCLUSION: CO is a newly found endogenously produced mediator which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of endotoxin shock.
