[Effect of E. coli endotoxin on the amount of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate in rabbits]

Fifteen rabbits were injected i/p with an endotoxin at the rate of 6 mg each. Studied were the amounts of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), hemoglobin, and erythrocytes in the blood 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours following treatment. A clearly manifested lowering trend was observed with the level of hemoglobin up to the 3rd hr. The changes concerning DPG and the erythrocytes also consisted in lowering their values, which was more strongly expressed with DPG than with Hb, reaching its lowest values 2.5 hours following treatment. From that moment on a rise was noted with the values of DPG and erythrocytes. The changes that set in with the latter had no effect on the DPG/Hb coefficient, their being a lowering of its values up to the 2nd hour, whereas from the 2nd to the 3rd hour there followed a rise. The rise of the DPG and the DPG/Hb values after the 2.5 and the two hours respectively, was referred to as a compensatory mechanism through which the body lowered the level of hypoxia, developing under the effect of the E. coli endotoxin.