Eicosanoids, endotoxins and liver disease

Abstract

Endotoxins are cell wall lipopolysacharides of gram negative bacteria. The gut contains large numbers of bacteria and is generally accepted to be a large reservoir of endotoxins. In the normal state absorbed endotoxins are rapidly removed from the portal blood by especially the reticulo-endothelial cells of the liver. In patients with liver disease there is a diminished function of the reticulo-endothelial system, resulting in a raised frequency of systemic endotoxemia. Systemic endotoxemia in liver disease, as measured by the Limulus lysate test, correlates with a higher frequency of clotting disorders, renal failure and a high mortality rat