Use of a nonionic detergent (Triton WR 1339) in healthy cats to assess hepatic secretion of triglyceride

Objective--To determine whether a nonionic detergent (Triton WR 1339) can b e used in cats to assess hepatic secretion of triglyceride. Animals--28 healthy cats. Procedure--Triton WR 1339 was administered IV according to the following sc hedule: 5, 50, 150, and 250 mg/kg of body weight. Control cats did not rece ive an injection or received 0.9% NaCl or PBS solutions at the same osmolar ity and volume as the 250 mg/kg group. Blood samples were collected through out the 48-hour period after administration for determination of triglyceri de and cholesterol concentrations and for RBC morphology and osmotic fragil ity studies. Results-Administration of Triton WR 1339 at 150 and 250 mg/kg caused profou nd hypertriglyceridemia. Triglyceride concentrations increased in a curvili near fashion for the first 2 hours and remained increased for approximately 24 hours. Area under the time-concentration curve for triglyceride at 5 ho urs differed significantly among groups. At 12 and 24 hours, cholesterol wa s significantly higher in cats receiving 250 mg/kg. The most dramatic chang es in osmotic fragility and RBC morphology were in cats receiving 250 mg/kg ; 1 of these cats developed severe icterus and died 5 days later. Feeding r ice and casein before administering Triton WR 1339 at 150 mg/kg did not app ear to affect the hypertriglyceridemia response. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance--Triton WR 1339 can be administered IV t o cats at a rate of 150 mg/kg to assess hepatic triglyceride secretion, alt hough some cats may have increased RBC osmotic fragility. Higher dosages ca used substantial adverse effects, whereas lower dosages did not alter plasm a triglyceride concentration.