Effects of potential blood substitutes (Perfluorochemicals) on rat liver and spleen

Abstract

The effect of an emulsion of perfluorochemicals (PFC) (7 parts perfluorodecalin and 3 parts perfluorotripropylamine, 4.4 g PFC/kg body weight) on organ function was determined. Whereas maximal storage of PFC was reached in the spleen as early as 12 h after PFC administration, the liver attained a maximal PFC content only after 2 days. The increase in weight also differed: a maximum occurred in the spleen on the 4th day, in the liver on the 8th day. Indocyanine green (ICG) clearance showed a small decrease, statistically significant after 12 and 24 h. Colloidal carbon clearance, used as a measure of the function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) decreased instantly after PFC to less than half the control value; after full recovery a second decrease was seen which lasted till the 4th day after PFC. Pretreatment with C 48/80 or with increasing doses of E. coli endotoxin could largely obviate the depressive effect of PFC-loading on carbon clearance. Serum transaminases increased to about twice the control levels but were normal by the 2nd day, and thereafter. Alkaline phosphatase showed a 2.5 fold increase but returned to control level after the 2nd day. It is concluded that while a severe disturbance of liver function did not occur, the reduction in the capacity of the RES can become a serious factor in the defence against a simultaneously appearing infection if not compensated by activating the RES.

Effect of a perfluorocarbon emulsion (Fluosol‐DA) on reticuloendothelial system clearance function

“…The differences between these results and ours probably are due to the nature of the test particles used: colloidal carbon vs incompatible red cells. Also, though less likely, the differences could have been due to the lower PFC dose (4.4 g/kg) used in the carbon clearance studies [3].…”

“…After intravenous injection, perfluorochemical particles are cleared from the blood and stored within the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) [2]. Transient depression of RES phagocytic function has been shown in perfluorocarbon-injected rats [3] with the colloidal carbon clearance method. Preliminary studies in nonhuman primates also suggest that perfluorocarbons inhibit RES function [4].…”

Role of fluid replacement, increased oxygen availability by perfluorochemicals and enhanced RES function in the treatment of mesenteric occlusion shock

“…In previous experiments [15], it was demonstrated that Fluosol-DA (FDA) can dissolve 6.12 ml O2/dl under a pure oxygen atmosphere; at an arterial oxygen pressure of 450 mm Hg [60 kPa] -as received by an inspiratory 02 fraction of -> 0.9 -this corresponds to an oxygen content of 3.62 ml O2/dl. After injection and dilution with the remaining blood volume an additional Oe content of about 1 ml/dl will result.…”

“…Oxygen content of the blood was increased by perfluorochemicals (PFC). Because PFC reduces the activity of the reticulo-endothelial system [13], RES function was increased by a pretreatment with E. coli endotoxin what gave a full compensation of RES activity [15].…”

“…The same fluid therapy was carried out on rats pretreated with E. coli endotoxin. Endotoxin pretreatment was chosen to compensate the negative effect of PFC on the reticuloendothelial system (RES) as shown in previous studies [15]. Survival time and survival rate were recorded as welt as hematocrit values at different times before and after treatment.…”