Background: Generalized Shwartzman reaction(GSR) has been known to be an experimental model of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(DIC). To date, the inhibitory effect of antithrombin Ⅲ on the GSR has not been reported. In this report, the effect of antithrombin Ⅲ administration on generalized Shwartzman reaction(GSR)
was studied in rabbits.
Methods: The classic GSR was produced two inuavascular injections of bacterial endotoxin given 24 hrs apart. The antithrombin Ⅲ was injected into the rabbits before
or after the provocative injection of the endotoxin. Plasma fibrinogen, fibrin-degraldation product(FDP) and plasminogen-levels, and factor XⅢ activities were measured at 12, 24 and 48 hrs a(leer the preparatory injection of the endotoxin, respectively. Both kidneys were examined grossly and then light microscopical studies were carried out at 48 hrs after the injection.
Results : The plasma fibrinogen, plasrninogen and the serum FDP levels increased in the endotoxin alone group, antithrombin Ⅲ group and the antithrombin Ⅲ plus endotoxin
group. The factor ⅩⅢ activity decreased in the endotoxin alone group, antithrombin Ⅲ group and the antithrombin Ⅲ plus endotoxin group. Bilateral renal cortical necrosis in
the antithrombin Ⅲ plus endotoxin group were mild when compared with endotoxin alone group, grossly and microscopically.
Conclusion: These results suggest that antithrombin Ⅲ plays a role in the reduction of GSR due to the formatirm of thrombin-antithrombin complexes which is known to
inhibit the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin and the activation of factor XⅢ.

Keywords: Generalized Shwartzman reaction, Antithrombin Ⅲ, Renal cortical necrosis