HES 130/0.4, a new HES specification: tissue storage after multiple infusions in rats

Hydroxyethyl starches (HES) are widely used in volume replacement therapy. One point of concern is tissue storage after repetetive dosing [1]. A controlled, multi-dose study was performed in 48 female rats. Daily infusions of ¹⁴C radio-labelled HES 130/0.4 or HES 200/0.5 (0.7 g/kg bw) were administered on 18 consecutive days. HES tissue storage was measured 3, 10, 24 and 52 days after the last administration in the total body, carcass, liver, spleen, kidney and lymph nodes.

Significantly reduced HES storage (P < 0.01) was observed in the HES 130/0.4 group in total body, carcass and liver compared to the HES 200/0.5 group, while no differences were found in spleen, kidney and lymph nodes. These results clearly demonstrate significant differences of HES tissue storage between two HES specifications after repetetive administration of clinically relevant dosages. Even if the clinical relevance of tissue storage remains under debate the reduction in the HES 130 group per se seems advantageous. (Sec overleaf for Table.)

Table Radioactivity per organ expressed as percentage of the administered total HES dosage (mean)