[Extraction of cholesterol from the blood using multiple emulsions]

The process of cholesterol extraction from the blood of rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis was investigated, with the following reinjection of the blood with reduced amount of cholesterol. Liquid membranes were applied to extract free cholesterol. Emulsion consisting of blood-compatible membrane (oil and sorbitan oleate) and the inner phase (water solution of digitonin) was used as an extractant. The average degree of cholesterol extraction was 23.4%. Pretreatment of the emulsion, its composition and the way of preparation make it possible to perform the extraction from the blood without a considerable increase in the degree of hemolysis.