Some long-term effects of exchange transfusion with fluorocarbon emulsions in macaque monkeys.

Fluorocarbon emulsions were used as blood substitutes in exchange transfusions of seven macaque monkeys. Some monkeys were tested for electrophoretic abnormalities of serum proteins prior to and at the time of death. At the time of killing 2 1/2 to eight years after transfusion, autopsies were performed on all seven monkeys. Monkeys receiving emulsions of FC-47 (perfluorotributylamine) displayed vacuolated cells representing fluorocarbon throughout the reticuloendothelial system even six years later. Monkeys examined eight years after receiving emulsions of PP-5 (perfluorodecalin) failed to display such changes. However, electrophoresis revealed abnormalities in the blood of all four monkeys in which the test was performed, irrespective of whether FC-47 or PP-5 was given. The electrophoretic abnormality consisted of a polyclonal increase of immunoglobulins, some of which migrated in the beta region. These data suggest that fluorocarbon emulsions that have recently been given to humans may produce a chronic stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system leading to alterations in production of immunoglobulins.