AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 257, Issue 1 49-R56, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society
Acute-phase behavior of factor VIII procoagulant and other acute-phase reactants in rabbits
D. A. Noe, P. A. Murphy, W. R. Bell and J. N. Siegel
Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
We measured the plasma concentrations of factor VIII procoagulant (FVIII:C)
in rabbits in two laboratory models of inflammation and after injections of
purified homologous interleukin 1 (IL-1). The mean FVIII:C activities 2-4
days following the intramuscular injection of turpentine were significantly
elevated, as were the concentrations of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein
(CRP). By contrast, rabbits given 50 ng of bacterial lipopolysaccharide
intravenously developed increased levels of FVIII:C but not of fibrinogen
or CRP. We then studied plasma levels of FVIII:C, fibrinogen, and CRP after
injections of either form of purified rabbit IL-1. If the rabbits'
temperatures were monitored, FVIII:C levels increased in a log dose-related
manner. This effect was not seen unless the rabbits were restrained and was
seen in restrained rabbits even if the temperatures were not monitored.
Fibrinogen and CRP levels did not change after IL-1 injections. These
findings demonstrate that FVIII:C is an acute-phase reactant as judged by
its response to turpentine inflammation or endotoxin injections, and to
injections of IL-1 in restrained rabbits. FVIII:C appears to be a more
sensitive acute-phase reactant than either fibrinogen or CRP. Neither of
the latter proteins responded to low-dose endotoxin injections nor to
either form of purified homologous IL-1. The doses of IL-1 given did cause
fever, neutrophil leukocytosis, and hypoferremia.
