Blocking of responses to endotoxin by E5564 in healthy volunteers with experimental endotoxemia

E5564 is a second-generation synthetic analogue of the lipid A component of endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). The ability of E5564 to block the toxic activity of LPS was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A bolus infusion of endotoxin (4 ng/kg) was administered to healthy subjects to induce a mild transient syndrome similar to clinical sepsis. Single E5564 doses of 50-250 mug ameliorated or blocked all of the effects of LPS in a dose-dependent manner. All E5564 dose groups had statistically significant reductions in elevated temperature, heart rate, C-reactive protein levels, white blood cell count, and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6), compared with placebo (P < .01). In doses of >= 100 mu g, E5564 acted as an LPS antagonist and completely eliminated these signs. E5564 also blocked or ameliorated LPS-induced fever, chills, headache, myalgia, and tachycardia (P < .01). These results demonstrate that E5564 blocks the effects of LPS in a human model of clinical sepsis and indicate its potential in the treatment and/or prevention of clinical sepsis.