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Effect of Dextran of Various Molecular Sizes on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Nature volume 166, pages 988–989 (1950)Cite this article

Abstract

WHEN dextran is mixed with blood an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, due to aggregation of red blood corpuscles, is observed. In Sweden1,2 and in Great Britain3 it has been shown that this effect is greater with larger molecules (at least within the range of molecular weight 100,000–600,000), while with dextran of molecular weight less than about 60,000 there is no appreciable increase3,4 in erythrocyte sedimentation rate. We have carried out experiments to establish these relationships on a quantitative basis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathological Studies, University of Birmingham, and Medical Research Council Industrial Medicine and Burns Research Units, Birmingham Accident Hospital,

    J. HARDWICKE, C. R. RICKETTS & J. R. SQUIRE

Authors
  1. J. HARDWICKE
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  2. C. R. RICKETTS
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  3. J. R. SQUIRE
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HARDWICKE, J., RICKETTS, C. & SQUIRE, J. Effect of Dextran of Various Molecular Sizes on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate. Nature 166, 988–989 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/166988a0

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