GENESIS OF FOAM CELLS: STUDY IN RATS AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF INTRALIPID®

The genesis of foam cells was studied by oral administration of 20 per cent Intralipid® to rats for 14 weeks. Each animal was given 1.5 ml daily. The treatment induced a statistically significant increase in the number of blood monocytes and focal accumulation of foam cells in the lungs. The observations indicate that there is a relationship between the increased number of blood monocytes and the pulmonary foam cells and that blood monocytes may be transformed into foam cells in the lungs. It is possible that excess lipid is picked up by monocytes in the blood and is excreted via the lungs in the form of foam cells.