The Mechanism of the Lipemia of Bleeding.

Abstract

It has been known since the work of Boggs and Morris 1 that repeated and copious bleeding of rabbits produces a high grade lipemia. Similar lipemia may occur in humans following severe hemorrhages (Feigl 2 ). Boggs and Morris 1 believe it possible that “the great loss of tissue proteins might have some influence on the abnormal fat metabolism” and that “lowered oxidation following a great loss of red cells plays a part.” Sakai 3 and Horiuchi 4 think that the decrease in blood lipase may be the cause of the lipemia. Bloor⁵ believes that nothing definite can be said as to the cause of the fat mobilization.

To further elucidate the mechanism of lipemia of bleeding, having in mind certain analogies with the lipemia observed in human nephrosis, we produced lipemia in 9 rabbits by bleeding, and compared the changes in total fats and cholesterol of blood with the alterations in the blood proteins, certain inorganic constituents and red blood cells. The animals were kept on the usual laboratory diet of cabbage, oats, and bread. The blood was obtained by incision of the rabbit's ear. About 35 cc. daily were removed, omitting a day occasionally when the animal seemed very weak.

The results in all 9 animals were essentially the same, and are illustrated in Table I.