Response of caeruloplasmin to Escherichia coli endotoxins and adrenal hormones in the domestic fowl.

The injection of chickens with Escherichia coli endotoxins immediately produced a 50 per cent rise in plasma caeruloplasmin activity which was attributed to the release of the protein from liver cell. This was followed by a fall in activity, which was probably due to a fall in activity, which was probably due to a stabilising effect of adrenocortical hormones on the cell membranes, and then by a five-fold increase. The results of experiments with cycloheximide, adrenocorticotrophin, beta-methasone and reserpine indicated that the third phase of the response reflected increased synthesis in the liver which was partly induced by adrenal hormones. It increased with the dose and was not elicited by the particulate nature of the toxin preparation or by its lipid and polysaccharide components.