Intravascular Aggregation and Adhesiveness of the Blood Elements Associated with Alimentary Lipemia and Injections of Large Molecular Substances

Abstract

Observations on the intact circulation of the hamster reveal that following a meal high in fat content there occurs increased adhesiveness and aggregation of the red blood cells and sometimes clumping of the platelets, accompanied by slowing of the circulation. These changes are reversible, the circulation resuming a normal appearance with complete clearing of the lipemia. Similar circulatory changes can be produced by the injection of large molecular solutions. These circulatory alterations, when severe enough, cause pathologic changes in the blood-brain barrier. The significance of these findings and their possible relationship to multiple sclerosis and vascular thrombosis are discussed.