Effect of fibronectin supplementation in endotoxic shock in the dog

An earlier study by our group demonstrated significant amelioration of hypotension, hypoglycemia, and acidosis in dogs treated with purified human plasma fibronectin prior to induction of endotoxic shock. The present study was completed to determine whether treatment with purified human plasma fibronectin 1 hr after induction of endotoxic shock would provide similar benefits. To this end, selected hemodynamic, pulmonary, acid-base, metabolic, hematological, and serum chemistry parameters were monitored for 6 hours in two groups of anesthetized dogs in Escherichia coli endotoxic shock. One group was given an intravenous injection of purified human plasma fibronectin, and the other received an equal volume of saline 1 hr after shock induction. Between-group analysis of the data revealed no significant differences between any parameter excepting modest differences in plasma glucose, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and BUN concentrations. However, even these differences, although statistically significant, were sporadic and unimpressive. This study suggested that treatment of dogs with fibronectin during gram-negative endotoxic shock was not efficacious.