The effect of splenectomy on reticuloendothelial system(RES) function was investigated by measurement of 99mTc-phytate in the presence or absence of sepsis in rats
and plasma fibronectin(PFn) and hyaluronic acid(HA) concentrations were measured. The results were as follows: following splenectolny
particularly in the presence of sepsis
the intravascular clearance(TI/2) delayed and HA increased
phagocytic index(K) and hepatic uptake and PFn decreased. These results suggest that splenectomy may not only have deleterious effects in terms of the host defencesystem
but may also cause RES depression due to the postsplenectomy infection.