J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 58(2): 330-341, 1957

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A STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF SODIUM ALGINATE OF LOWER POLYMERISATION, A NEW PLASMA EXPANDER, ON THE CIRCULATING BLOOD VOLUME

The author, taking part in the determination of the optimum concentration of sodium alginate of lower polymerisation which is to be employed as a new plasma expander at the Tomoda Surgical Clinic, examined the effect of alginate solution on the circulating· blood volume as well as the extent to which the sugar contained in the alginate solution was utilized in the body after its infusion. In this study, the author prepared four kinds of alginate solution differing in concentration ―0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.3%― dissolved in 5% dextrose and 0.3% saline mixed aqueous solution, the degree of polymerisation of alginate used being settled constant (Intrinsic viscosity about 0.072 litre/gram). The following were the results obtained.
1) In four different concentrations ―0.6%, 0.5%, 0.4% and 0.3%― sodium alginate restored the circurating blood volume to its original level and kept it unreduced in cases of a speedy loss of blood. It acted almost equally well in concentration ―0.6%, 0.5% and 0.4%― a trifle less so in 0.3%- Thus the optimum concentration of alginate as a new plasma expander was determined to be 0.4 %.
2) Dextrose dissolved in the alginate solution was pretty better utilized (about 11%) in the body than the case which was simply dissolved in aqueous solution.
3) The circulating blood volume after bleeding was brought up to its original level, on the administration of sodium alginate of lower polymerisation, Algin, Dextran and Periston. Sodium alginate of lower polymerisation was most recomendable as a plasma expander to be used after a surgical treatment because the remaining three were applicable only in certain limited quantities for their 0.9% and 0.65% saline contents.
4) Glyco-algin (Intrinsic viscosity = 0.038-0.066) lacks some of the properties of an ideal plasma expander, affecting the circulating blood volume little more than a crystalloid solution does.
(author's abstract)

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