Convulsive Syndrome in Rabbits Injected with Fat Emulsion and Heparin

Functionally hepatectomized rabbits showed convulsions and coma within 2 hours after the intravenous injection of fat emulsion and heparin. Intravenous injection of the detergent triton prevented this syndrome, if given before the fat emulsion and heparin, and reversed it if given subsequently. Extremely high plasma non-esterified fatty acid levels were noted in rabbits showing the convulsive syndrome, but not in animals that received the detergent. The mechanism of the convulsions probably includes the toxicity of high amounts of non-esterified fatty acids.