Indomethacin and alpha-tocopheral enhanced survival in endotoxic rats.

Induced endotoxaemia was studied in healthy male albino rats injected intravenously with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli at 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg dose levels. The endotoxic rats were closely observed for mortality within 48 hours and subsequently for seven days. Within five hours post administration over 50 pc mortality was observed at dose levels of 20 to 30 mg/kg. Pre-treatment of rats with Indomethacin (250 mg/kg) alone and alpha-tocopheral (100 mg/kg) produced significant protective effects with the mortality rate reduced to 50 pc at the highest endotoxin dose level. Interestingly a combination of both drugs significantly improved survival with an observed mortality of 20 pc. Prednisolone (500 mg/kg) either alone or in combination with indomethacin or alpha-tocopherol did not offer any advantage. Instead the mortality rate was significantly high. A combination of Indomethacin and alpha-tocopheral significantly improved survival in endotoxic rats.