Effects of a perfluorocarbon emulsion, Fluosol-DA, on rat lymphoid tissue and immunological competence.

The effects of administration of low doses (5 or 10 ml/kg body wt) of the proprietary perfluorocarbon emulsion blood substitute, Fluosol-DA 20%, on rat lymphoid tissue and antibody production against sheep red blood cells (SRBC) have been studied. Spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) were significantly heavier at eight days after injection of Fluosol, whereas liver and thymus weights were unchanged. The mean plasma antibody titre to sheep red blood cells was significantly (P less than 0.05) increased in animals injected intraperitoneally with both doses of Fluosol-DA before immunization. These results show that there are differences in the uptake of perfluorochemicals by certain rat lymphoid tissues and that immunological competence can be altered following administration of such materials.