The effects of O-(beta-hydroxy-ethyl)-rutosides (HR) on acute lymphoedema in rats' thighs, with and without macrophages.

The effect of O-(beta-hydroxy-ethyl)-rutosides (HR), injected subcutaneously, was investigated on experimental acute lymphoedema in rat thighs. The oedema was reduced from a 30% increase over the normal weight, to one of 13%. When the macrophages were destroyed by the intraperitoneal injection of silica (for eight days before the initiation of lymphoedema) the oedema of the thigh increased to 41% - thus showing the importance of these cells in limiting high-protein oedemas. When HR was given to animals treated with silica the oedema was no longer reduced (42%). Thus HR reduces a high-protein oedema substantially via the macrophages.