[Does gelatin as a blood substitute selectively depress plasma fibronectin? A clinical randomized study]

In 18 adult patients, in a randomized way, 15 ml/kg of blood were replaced either by gelatin 5.5 pc or serum protein solution. 0,5, 4 and 24 h later there was only a significant difference between the two groups in total protein and serum albumin. The low molecular weight infection related proteins alpha-1-antitrypsin, immunoglobulin G and antithrombin III, as well as the high molecular weight proteins immunoglobulin M, plasma fibronectin and alpha-2-macroglobulin were at no time significantly different between the two groups. It is concluded that gelatin as a plasma substitute does not impair the opsonising effect of plasma fibronectin upon the reticuloendothelial system.