Blood endotoxin inactivation after trauma and endotoxicosis.

In contrast to the inability to demonstrate endotoxin detoxifying activity in either control rat blood, blood cells, plasma, or serum, the induction of mild endotoxemia or trauma resulted in a prompt and marked detoxifying activity in blood plasma or serum, but not in the cellular elements. The functional significance of the blood anti-endotoxin system was demonstrated by a capability for passive transfer and by its loss during severe traumatic shock. A role for the RES in elaboration of the blood anti-endotoxin system is postulated.