Plasma changes in endotoxin and anaphylactic shock (ATP, ADP and Creatine phosphorus)

Decisive patterns have been demonstrated in plasma adenosine 5' triphosphate (ATP) levels in both endotoxin and anaphylactic shock which correlate with periods of low platelet counts, low arterial pressures and abnormal electrocardiograms. When these irregularities were occurring, the plasma ATP level was low; when improvement occurred, the plasma ATP level rose. Plasma ATP levels appear to be an index to the metabolic state of the animal. The plasma creatine phosphate (CP) level showed a tendency to decrease when the ATP level dropped in anaphylactic shock, although the CP level did not recover to the same extent as the ATP level. In endotoxin shock, the plasma CP level increased on an average of six-fold. It is proposed that this rise resulted from either CP mobilization from tissues, for the purpose of replenishing the energy deficient myocardial muscle, or possible leakage from damaged cells. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) plasma values were measured in both anaphylactic and endotoxin shock. High initial ADP values were prone towards a more severe anaphylactic reaction and a shorter survival time in the endotoxin shock experiments.