Sensitization to the generalized Shwartzman reaction by catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors.

The generalized Shwartzman reaction (GSR) was produced by a single injection of endotoxin in male rats pretreated with catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors (tropolone, pyrogallol). Such a result was not obtained with inhibitors (pargyline, phenelzine, isocarboxazide) of the monoamine oxidase (MAO). The inhibitors of the COMT were found to enhance the action of endotoxin on the coagulation system such as evidenced by the increased consumptions of Hageman factor, fibrinogen, and platelets. Tropolone-treated rabbits did not require exogenous stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptor sites by norepinephrine to localize thrombi in the glomerular capillaries when Hageman factor was activated by ellagic acid and fibrinolysis inhibited by epsilon-amino-caproic acid. It is concluded that interference with the degradation of circulating catecholamines results in sensitization to the generalized Shwartzman reaction.