Comparison of terbutaline and dobutamine in rats with endotoxemia.

It is generally accepted that bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) acts via endogenous mediators leading to endotoxicity. Among these endogenous mediators, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) seems to induce all characteristics for endotoxemia. Inhibition of TNF-(alpha production by cAMP-elevating agents has been well documented.

Inhibition by terbutaline of nitric oxide and superoxide anion levels of endotoxin-induced organs injury in the anesthetized rat.

Despite the fact that septic shock is characterized by a decrease in systemic vascular resistance, the main cause of death is due to multiple organ failure. The organ dysfunction is usually attributed to cell death caused by overproduction of free radicals derived from inflammation. In the host infected by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS), the expression and release of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) rapidly increases, and the formation of free radicals (e.