Effect of exogenous fat emulsion on phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells in septic rats

The effect of exogenous fat emulsion on phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells in sepsis was studied in rats. The rats were divided into four groups. Group I, non-septic rats received saline infusion; group II, non-septic rats received exogenous fat emulsion; group III, septic rats received saline infusion; and group IV, septic rats received exogenous fat emulsion. Twenty hours after operation to induce sepsis, normal saline or exogenous fat emulsion was injected. Two hours later, the animal was sacrificed and the blood harvested. PMN cells were isolated from the blood, and phagocytic activity of the cells was studied by culture with Candida albicans. The results revealed that although sepsis led to a suppression of phagocytic function of PMN cells, infusion of exogenous fat emulsion had no deterious effect on the cell phagocytic activity in either septic or non-septic rats.