Contrasting effects of lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) from oral black-pigmented bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae on platelets, a major source of serotonin, and on histamine-forming enzyme in mice.

By measurement of serotonin levels, the translocation of platelets to various tissues was examined following intravenous injection of a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into C3H/HeN mice. There was a rapid platelet accumulation (within 5 min and particularly in the lung), followed by a slower accumulation in the liver, which reached its plateau 3-5 h later. The severity of the anaphylactoid shock corresponded well with the magnitude of the rapid response. LPSs from the oral black-pigmented bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, were much more potent in inducing the rapid platelet response than were those from the Enterobacteriaceae Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. However, LPSs from these Enterobacteriaceae were significantly more potent than those from black-pigmented bacteria in inducing the slow platelet response. There was also a contrast between their abilities to induce histidine decarboxylase, which forms histamine from histidine: LPSs from the Enterobacteriaceae were much more potent than those from black-pigmented bacteria.