Enhanced endotoxin effects in plasma fibronectin-deficient rats.

Immunoreactive plasma fibronectin depletion has been associated with the presence of collagen-fibronectin complexes in patients after trauma and in animal models of traumatic and burn injuries. However, the role of plasma fibronectin in the development of sepsis after traumatic and burn injuries in patients is unknown. Treatment of patients and animals with purified human plasma fibronectin ameliorates some of the clinical and metabolic effects of systemic endotoxemia. We report that the induction of immunoreactive plasma fibronectin deficiency by gelatin infusion is associated with enhanced effects of intraperitoneal Escherichia coli endotoxin injection. We have observed a significant increase in the concentrations of ammonia in plasma of treated rats compared with those in control rats administered the same dose of endotoxin.