Endotoxin Shock and Tumour Necrosis Factor Release in Mannoheptulose-treated Mice

Administration of mannoheptulose partially protected mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes against the lethal effect of a subsequent endotoxin challenge. The ability of these animals to produce tumour necrosis factor was however unaffected. Mannoheptulose was observed to reverse the hypoglycaemic effect of endotoxin, possibly through inhibition of insulin secretion. The therapeutic significance of these observations is discussed.