Vasodilating prostaglandin E does not reproduce interleukin-1β-induced oxygen metabolism abnormalities in rabbits.

Background: We have reported that administration of recombinant human interleukin (IL)-1β induced circulatory shock in rabbits by causing overproduction of vasodilating prostaglandin(s) and simultaneously impaired oxygen metabolism by causing an abnormal dependence of oxygen consumption (VO) on oxygen delivery (DO). The present study was carried out to compare the effect of administration of exogenous PGE with that of IL-1β on oxygen metabolism.

Methods: Sixteen rabbits were assigned to one of three groups and given a single injection of 10 μg/kg IL-1β (IL-1β group,  = 5), continuous infusion of 1 μg/kg/min PGE (PGE group,  = 6), or saline (control group,  = 5).