No abstract

•\ rapid communication Induction of hepattic metallothioneins determined at isoprotein level in endotoxin-treated ratsIn order to clarify the induction of hepatic metallothioneins (MTs) as an acute phase reactant by endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) shock further, induction of MT-I and MT-II by LPS was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with atomic absorption spectrophotometry.Rats were injected with LPS (5 mg/kg) and the hepatic concentrations of Zn-MT-I and Zn-MT-II were determined at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours after the injection. Time-course experiments showed that MT-II predominantly accumulated in comparison to MT-I. The MT-II increased rapidly at 6 hours after the injection, reached the maximum at 18 hours and then decreased gradually. All of these values were significantly different from those values of MT-I. These results suggest that MT-II may play some role in acute phase response during endotoxin shock.