The Effect of Low Molecular Weight Dextran Infusions on Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins

1. Infusions of Dextran 40 induced a pronounced fall in the plasma concentration of cholesterol, in the absence of marked changes in plasma volume. Similar falls occurred in the plasma concentrations of phospholipids, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein. It was further observed that the return to normal was slow, and at 15 days was still incomplete.

2. Lipoprotein turnover studies failed to demonstrate altered rates of catabolism or evidence for altered synthetic rates. They were better interpreted in terms of redistribution from the plasma to the rest of the extracellular fluid, although there was no indication as to its exact site.