Basis examinations for pathogenesis and treatment of fat embolism. III. The interface tension of blood against lipids. B. Their influence by addition of surfactants and the effect on the lipid solubility in vitro

: Various surfactants such as Pluronic L 61, L 64, F 68 and F 108, Tween 80 und Triton WR 1339 as well as bile acids and sodium taurocholate were tested for their capacity to reduce the interface tension against neutral lipids and for their capacity to induce stable emulsions of triglycerides in rabbit sera. No positive correlation was found to exist between the interface activity against neutral lipids and the lipid emulsifying capacity of rabbit sera, added with the surfactants. When ether was added to serum, the lipid emulsifying capacity was increased most at concentrations of about 0,0075 g ether per 100 ml serum. This is about 1/10 of the ether concentration, achieved during anesthesia at the stage of tolerance. Pluronic F 108 in non toxic concentrations was the agent increasing the lipid emulsifying capacity of rabbit (and human) sera most efficiently. It proved superior also to ethanol and ether and appears to be the most suitable agent for mobilization of embolized fat in lung vessels.