Abstract
The behavior of the RE cells lining the sinusoidal walls in the bone marrow and liver has been studied after a single intravenous injection of a sublethal dose of Merk's saponin (abou t 3 mg per kilogram of body weight) into adult rabbits. In order to visualize the RE cells and to facilitate observations, a large amount of India ink was injected intravenously 30 minutes before autopsy.
It has been found that the RE cells lining the sinusoidal walls in red bone marrow and liver are damaged to a large extent by the cytolytic action of saponin and the sinusoidal walls have once disappeared partially or completely within 24 hours after saponin injection. Regeneration of the RE cells, leading to the reappearance or restitution of the sinusoidal walls that have once disappeared, has been accomplished during the period from 5 to 14 days after saponin injection.
