Studies on the effect of ethyl palmitate on the inhibition of erythrophagocytosis in dogs

Abstract

The effect of 10% ethyl palmitate suspension on the erythrophagocytic activity of the reticuloendothelial system was studied in 9 dogs using 51 Cr labelled human red cell as a test substance. The results showed that the half disappearance times of 51 Cr labelled red cell in ethpalm dogs were prolonged indicating that ethyl palmitate depressed the erythrophagocytosis of the reticuloendothelial system. Microscopic examination also showed the degenerative changes of the livers in these dogs. In dogs receiving 20% and 30% ethyl palmitate, the liver showed necrosis with focal hemorrhage while the spleen showed no significant pathological changes. This selective hepatic necrosis induced by the ethyl palmitate in dogs was different from the results obtained in mice, rats, guineapigs and rabbits.