Effects of reticuloendothelial blockade on acute saponin poisoning in mice

The effect of carbon particles on acute saponin poisoning in mice was studied. Pretreatment of mice with 5-10 mg of carbon particles resulted in protection from saponin intoxication even when given at a lethal dose. The protective effect of carbon particles decreased with increasing time interval between carbon-pretreatment and saponin administration although carbon particles remained in the tissues. Neither simultaneous (as a mixture with saponin) nor post-treatment of carbon particles brought about protection. Histological observations revealed that parenchymal and endothelial cells of the liver and spleen were protected from damage by saponin with the carbon-pretreatment. The results suggest that the reticuloendothelial-system (RES) blockade by carbon particles resulted in the reinforcement of RES, and consequently protected the animals from saponin poisoning, although the mechanism is not yet known.