Oleic Acid Toxicity and Fat Embolism. ∗

Abstract

Conclusions and summary

If, according to the findings of Davis and Dubois, albumin has the power of binding oleic acid in the ratio of 9 to 1, then the amounts of oleic acid injected exceeded the protective range in the dogs used in our experiments.

The mechanism of the toxic action of oleic acid is problematical. Small doses of sodium oleate produced a degree of hemolysis never seen with comparable doses of oleic acid.

While changes in blood serum calcium appeared to be correlated with the degree of hemolysis, the low values of serum calcium may be explained by formation of calcium soaps. Changes of blood pH appeared to be associated with respiratory conditions and with acid and toxic effects of the oleic acid.

Oleic acid does not seem to produce massive edema of the lungs by embolism, but by toxic effects on the capillaries of the lungs. Caution must be used in the preparation of fat emulsions for intravenous alimentation, in order to exclude fatty acids and soaps. Fat embolism per se may not be so dangerous unless fatty acids are released in or into the circulation.