Endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation in vitamin E deficient rats

The effect of vitamin E on endotoxin-induced experimental disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was studied in rats deficient in and supplemented with vitamin E. Experimental DIC was induced by a 4-hr sustained infusion of endotoxin at a dose of 13.3 mg/kg. After the infusion, fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products were increased, platelet count and fibrinogen level were decreased, and prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. In addition, the number of renal glomeruli with fibrin thrombi was increased. These changes were significantly greater in vitamin E deficient rats when compared to those changes found in rats supplemented with vitamin E. These results indicate that vitamin E plays a protective role in endotoxin-induced DIC.