The plasma cation pattern in fever and sodium salicylate antipyresis.

The effect of sodium salicylate at a dose of 200 and 1000 mg/kg, per os, on body temperature and plasma cation pattern was investigated in healthy rabbits and those infected with 1 microgram/kg iv of lipopolysaccharide Escherichia coli (LPS). An increase in plasma Cu2+ and decrease in Fe2+ and Mg2+ concentration appeared to be the most important effect in LPS treated animals. Sodium salicylate in a dose-dependent manner attenuated the febrile response to LPS. Furthermore, this antipyretic antagonized the rise of Cu2+ concentration induced by pyrogen. Smaller increases of K+ and Mg2+ were observed during antipyresis than in the group of rabbits treated with sodium salicylate alone.