METABOLIC EFFECTS OF FEVER AND INFECTION
Abstract
The purpose of this research has been to carry out studies on the mechanism of the infections process. Two primary approaches have been taken. (a) The effect of fever on protein turnover and its contribution to the negative nitrogen balance associated with this condition. (b) The effect of a bacterial exotoxin (anthrax) on the metabolism of certain critical organs. In as much as anthrax toxin produces a very definite and extensive lung edema, the first organ studied was the lung and the oxidative metabolism was the function followed. Certain ancillary studies were carried out to try to detect low concentration of circulating antigenic material. By using methionine - S-35, it has been demonstrated that the hyperthermia (106 deg F) causes about a 30% decrease in protein turnover from control animals at 100 deg F. There is also an increase, about 10%, in the break down rate of the plasma globulin. When rats are injected with anthrax toxin, the oxygen utilization of the lungs as measured by Warburg manometric techniques is reduced by 30% from controls injected with saline or non-toxic growth medium. It appears that the cause of this depression is the loss of DPN from the tissue. It would thus appear that the lung edema could be the result of the inability of the cells to produce the energy necessary to maintain their integrity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0467727
Entities
People
- Irving Gray
Organizations
- Georgetown University