[Effect of hydroxyethyl starch, oxypolygelatin and human albumin on the phagocytic function of the reticuloendothelial system in healthy subjects]. / Auswirkungen von Hydroxyäthylstärke, Oxypolygelatine und Humanalbumin auf die Phagozytosefunktion des Retikuloendothelialen Systems (RES) gesunder Probanden.

RES phagocytic function was determined in healthy volunteers prior to and up to 5 h after application of 10 ml/kg body weight of 6% hydroxyethyl starch (450,000; 0.7), 5.5% oxypolygelatin (30,000), or 5.0% human albumin solution. Phagocytosis (phagocytic index K) was evaluated in vivo by intravascular lipid clearance (Lipofundin clearance test). Immediately after infusion, the phagocytic rate increased by 30% in the hydroxyethyl starch group (n = 10; p less than 0.05), 14% in the oxypolygelatin group (n = 10; ns), and 24% in the albumin group (n = 8; ns). 2 h after infusion phagocytosis was still increased by 35% in the hydroxyethyl starch group (n = 10; p less than 0.05), by 18% in the oxypolygelatin group (n = 10; ns), and 13% in the albumin group (n = 8; ns). 5 h after infusion, K values had returned to normal in the albumin group (n = 4), but were still increased by 40% in the hydroxyethyl starch group (n = 4; ns). No statistically significant differences could be established among the 3 groups. The increase in the phagocytic rate, particularly after application of hydroxyethyl starch, might be explained by a dilution effect.