Activation of intravascular coagulation by endotoxin: the significance of granulocytes and platelets.

The importance of granulocytes and/or platelets in endotoxin-induced generalized intravascular coagulation was studied as well as thrombocytopenic rabbits. Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were induced by oral administration of busulphan. Generalized intravascular coagulation, as indicated by renal glomerular microclot formation, was initiated by two intravenous injections of endotoxin. Granulocyte counts before the second injection of endotoxin were most significantly related to activation of intravascular coagulation whereas platelet counts either before the first or second injection of endotoxin were not definitely related to the activation process. Renal glomerular microclots occurred in rabbits after two injections of endotoxin even when the platelet counts were between 500 and 5000/mul. These experiments indicated that granulocytes but not platelets are essential to the activation of endotoxin-induced intravascular coagulation.