Influence of Reticulo-Endothelial Blockade and Stimulation on the Rate of Disappearance of Evans Blue From the Circulation

Abstract

A variety of procedures designed to alter activity of the reticulo-endothelial system show parallel effects on the rate of removal of the dye T-1824 from the circulation of rabbits. Thus, thorotrast, antihistamine and evisceration, agents and procedures which depress or remove reticulo-endothelial tissue, all diminish the dye-disappearance rate. On the other hand, injection of histamine increases dye-disappearance rate at least in part by stimulating reticulo-endothelial activity. Nephrectomy causes an increase in the dye-disappearance rate that is probably unaccompanied by altered reticulo-endothelial activity. The data here reported on the effects of stimulation and of blockade of the reticulo-endothelial system on the rate of removal of T-1824 from the circulation of rabbits, clearly indicate a significant role of this system in the normal handling of the dye-labeled protein.