Abstract
Investigations of changes in the fat content of the blood have been handicapped greatly by the tedious methods available for determination of blood lipids. The method described in this paper is easily and quickly carried out and is thus adapted to work requiring the analysis of large numbers of samples. Duplicate samples check closely, and composite samples agree well with calculated values, indicating that the method is satisfactory for comparative studies.
The design and approximate dimensions of the test bottle used for the determination are shown in Fig. 1. An alkali reagent developed by Petersen and Herreid 1 for the purpose of testing buttermilk by a modified Babcock procedure is employed to free the fat from the blood plasma. This reagent consists of 110 gm. of sodium carbonate and 200 gm. of sodium salicylate dissolved in water and made up to a volume of one liter, to which are then added successively 30 cc. of 50% sodium hydroxide and 100 cc. of normal butyl alcohol. The samples should be tested in duplicate if the amount of blood plasma available permits.
Three cc. of blood plasma are measured into the bottle by means of a pipette. A very gentle suction applied to the opening of the reading neck will cause the sample to flow into the bottle readily. Five cc. of reagent are then added in the same manner and thoroughly mixed with the plasma by allowing air to be drawn through the mixture by the suction used in filling the bottle. The filling neck is then closed tightly by means of a small stopper, the bottle is placed in a water bath, and digested for 20 minutes at 180° to 190° F., with occasional shaking.
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