TRITON HYPERLIPEMIA IN DOGS

Abstract

Dogs fed a regular diet were given 250 mg/kg of Triton WR-1339, a non-ionic surface active agent, intravenously every 4th day. All plasma lipids rose progressively. With establishment of sustained hyperlipemia there was reduction, followed by total disappearance of the high density D 1.063-1.21 lipoprotein. The accumulation of plasma lipids in the low-density lipoprotein classes was not accompanied by an increased concentration of the lipoprotein proteins. All of the animals died within 4 to 5 months after receiving the first injection of Triton. The most salient autopsy findings were: a) numerous lipid-laden macrophages in the liver, spleen and lymph nodes, b) significant depletion of all fat stores, c) presence of lipids, either free or engulfed in macrophages (foam cells) in the subintima of the coronary arteries, aorta and pulmonary arteries indicating an early stage of atherosclerosis. Concurrent daily administration of heparin (5 mg/kg) did not substantially change the course of the disease. Withdrawal of Triton from animals that had been receiving the detergent from 3 to 4 months elicited a slow return to normal of the lipid pattern. In these dogs the tissues were essentially normal with exception of a few hepatic macrophages still laden with sudanophilic material.