Antipyretic effect of oral sodium salicylate after an intravenous E. coli LPS injection in broiler chickens

A study was set up to investigate the influence of sodium salicylate on fever and acute phase reaction after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in broiler chickens. An acute phase reaction was provoked through the intravenous injection of Escherichia coli LPS. Four oral doses of sodium salicylate were tested. Apart from body temperature, other inflammation indices, such as plasma corticosterone and ceruloplasmin, serum thromboxane B2 and zinc concentrations were monitored. Intravenous LPS induced a fever of about 1 degree C. A dose-dependent attenuation of the fever response of the chickens in the salicylate treated groups was observed. LPS-injected chickens also showed elevated plasma corticosterone and ceruloplasmin, while serum thromboxane and zinc concentrations decreased. Except for thromboxane B2, no linear relationship with increasing salicylate dose could be shown for the other blood variables. These data confirm that sodium salicylate is an effective antipyretic agent after injection of LPS in chickens, if used at an appropriate dosage. No dose-related change could be found for the other inflammation indices.