INFLAMMATORY EFFECTS OF PYROGENIC STEROIDS IN ANIMALS.

Abstract

Summary Three steroid pyrogens known to produce fever and inflammation in man were examined for inflammatory activity in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats and dogs. Etiocholanolone, 11-ketopregnanolone and lithocholic acid are all capable of eliciting intense inflammatory reactions in experimental animals, although considerable variation in individual and species sensitivity was observed. Lithocholic acid, like the neutral steroids, failed to produce fever in rabbits, rats, dogs, cats and monkeys, thus confirming the highly specific nature of this activity in humans.