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Toxicological effects of Evans blue and Congo red on blood platelets

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Abstract

The addition of 2 diazo dyes Evans blue (EB) and Congo red (CR) to human platelet-rich plasma caused platelet aggregation at final concentrations of 6.5×10−4 mmole/ml and 1.35×10−3 mmole/ml respectively. After dilution of the platelet-rich plasma with isotonic saline lower dye concentrations were necessary to cause aggregation. With gel filtrated platelets suspended in protein-free medium aggregation was induced with minute quantities of the dyes. Addition of bovine serum albumin markedly reduced the aggregating effect of the 2 substances. During slow i.v. infusion of the dyes into guinea-pigs platelet aggregates appeared in the blood and total platelet counts decreased.

From the experimental results and the dye concentrations obtained when the two reagents are used in man, safety factors could be calculated. It was concluded that single i.v. injections of EB for the determination of blood volume is a safe procedure. The i.v. administration of CR in amyloidosis, however, represents a considerable hazard, particularly in hypalbuminemic patients.

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Author notes

  1. H. R. Baumgartner

    Present address: Department of Experimental Medicine, F. Hoffmann-La Roche & Co. AG, Basel

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Experimental and Toxicological Pathology, Institute of Pathological Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    M. Giger, H. R. Baumgartner & G. Zbinden

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  3. G. Zbinden
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Giger, M., Baumgartner, H.R. & Zbinden, G. Toxicological effects of Evans blue and Congo red on blood platelets. Agents and Actions 4, 173–180 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01970259

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