The effects of two thromboxane synthetase inhibitors ( dazoxiben and UK 38485) were investigated on the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of Escherichia coli endotoxin infusion in the conscious, unrestrained rat. Infusion of E. coli endotoxin (41.7 ng kg-1 min-1) for 4 h produced a fall in mean arterial pressure, an increase in heart rate, a transient hyperglycaemia (at 1 h) followed by hypoglycaemia (evident at 6 h), an elevation in plasma lactate and a profound thrombocytopenia. The above changes were accompanied by a marked elevation in plasma thromboxane B2 concentrations (e.g. endotoxin-treated 935 +/- 150 pg ml-1 at 1 h compared with pre-endotoxin values of 125 +/- 30 pg ml-1). The administration of either dazoxiben (30 mg kg-1 i.v., given 30 min before starting the endotoxin infusion) or UK 38485 (15 mg kg-1 given 30 min before, and again 4 h after, starting the endotoxin infusion) prevented the rise in plasma thromboxane B2 concentrations. Neither dazoxiben nor UK 38485 prevented the metabolic, cardiovascular or thrombocytopenic effects of endotoxin and did not modify mortality. These results suggest that, although large amounts of thromboxane are generated in response to endotoxin, they do not play an important role in the major pathophysiological consequences of acute endotoxaemia.