Blood vessel binding of free fatty acid and venous thrombosis

Thrombosis of the lateral ear vein of the rabbit has been demonstrated following the injection of saponified extracts of cod liver, rat liver, rabbit liver, and both human and rabbit plasma. This thrombosis has been shown to be the result of the free fatty acids in these extracts. The results of titration of minimal thrombotic dose, dilution studies, and direct visualization of the veins showed: the fatty acid effect was not primarily on blood coagulation; and blood vessel binding of the fatty acid was the basis for the mechanism of action. Blood vessel binding of fatty acid was demonstrated in the blood free, dog femoral vein which thrombosed after return of normal blood flow. Tagged fatty acid was retained at the site of injection for up to four hours. Thrombosis and endothelial damage was demonstrated by histological changes. Extraction of C¹⁴ labeled fatty acid from previously treated dog veins showed, by means of thin layer chromatography, and radioautography, that the radioactivity remained in the fatty acid component of vein lipids at the site of injection.