[Effect of gelatin and dextran infusion on the reticuloendothelial system]

The purpose of this study was evaluation of the phagocytic ability of peripheral blood leucocytes and reticuloendothelial system of the lungs, liver and spleen after one infusion of plasma-substituting preparations: Fluigel and dextran 70 in volumes of 20 ml/kg of body weight. The experiments were done in rabbits. The response of the reticuloendothelial system was assessed on the basis of its ability of eliminating foreign erythrocytes labelled with 51Cr from the circulating blood and radioactivity accumulation in the liver and spleen. It was found that infusion of Fluigel and dextran produced transient changes in the function of the reticuloendothelial system with increased number of granulocytes and a fall of their radioactivity 3 and 6 hours after infusion, reduced ability of pulmonary 51Cr accumulation and increased storage in the spleen observed 24 hours after infusion.