Effects of prolonged administration of high molecular levan on hematological parameters in rabbits.

Rabbits were injected intraperitoneally with 100 mg of high molecular levan, daily for 4--6 weeks. Study of various hematological parameters revealed that the treatment resulted in the following changes: 1. Marked elevation in fibrinogen levels and in the number of platelets. 2. Insignificant changes in the intrinsic and extrinsic clotting mechanisms and in platelet aggregation. 3. Some reduction in the number of circulating RBCs. The findings indicate that levan treatment has no obvious effect on hematologic functions, except for the increase in fibrinogen and platelets and the slight decrease in circulating RBCs.