The therapeutic effect of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (DBcAMP) in endotoxic shock was evaluated, using 11 dogs with experimentally-induced endotoxic shock (5 in DBcAMP group and 6 in control group) under general anesthesia. The DBcAMP group was treated by single intravenous injection of DBcAMP (10 mg/kg) at 15 min before inoculation with endotoxin (3 mg/kg). After the inoculation of endotoxin, this group was given drip infusion of DBcAMP at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg/min over 180 min. Hemodynamic parameters and chemical mediators were measured until 360 min after endotoxin inoculation. The cardiac output and urinary volume, which were decreased in the control group, were significantly inhibited to decrease in the DBcAMP group (p<0.01). The increases in 6-keto-PGF₁α and thromboxane B₂, chemical mediators released in endotoxic shock, were significantly inhibited (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). These results suggested that DBcAMP is useful for the treatment of endotoxic shock.