Plasma prekallikrein and endotoxemia in liver cirrhosis

In liver disease low prekallikrein levels may be found which has been suggested to be due to diminished synthesis. However, it may also be due to endotoxemia accompanying liver disease. To study the last possiblity prekallikrein, endotoxins and Normotest were determined in 18 cirrhosis patients. The relation between the prekallikrein concentration (after 15 min activation) and the Normotest was significant (r = + 0.72, P less than 0.001). Endotoxemia was only found in the more severe forms of liver disease (Normotest below 60%). During endotoxemia the prekallikrein levels were significantly lower than when no endotoxins were present in the blood of the same patients. The Normotest did not differ significantly in these patients in relation to the presence or absence of endotoxins. The activation of prekallikrein was slower in the more severe forms of liver disease. This might be due to reduced levels of factor XII and high molecular weight kininogen. In conclusion the reduced prekallikrein level in liver cirrhosis may be due to both diminished synthesis and endotoxemia. In the more severe forms of liver disease the time necessary to activate prekallikrein is increased.