and in certain intravenous fluids to solubilize other factors, such as iron (in a solution known as Iron Dextran). Intravenous solutions with dextran function both as volume expanders and means of parenteral nutrition. Such a solution provides an osmotically neutral fluid that once in the body is digested by cells into glucose and free water. It is occasionally used to replace lost blood in emergency situations, when replacement blood is not available, but must be used with caution as it does not provide necessary electrolytes and can cause hyponatremia or other electrolyte disturbances. Dextran also increases blood sugar levels. Dextran can be used in an ATPS for PEGylation

Laboratory uses
Dextran is used in the osmotic stress technique for applying osmotic pressure to biological molecules. It is also used in some size-exclusion chromatography matrices; an example is Sephadex. Dextran has also been used in bead form to aid in bioreactor applications. Dextran has been used as an immobilization agent in biosensors. Dextran preferentially binds to early endosomes; fluorescent-labelled dextran can be used to visualize these endosomes under a microscope. Dextran can be used as a stabilizing coating to protect metal nanoparticles from oxidation and improve biocompatibility. Dextran coupled with a fluorescent molecule such as fluorescein isothiocyanate can be used to create concentration gradients of diffusible molecules for imaging and allow subsequent characterization of gradient slope.
Solutions of fluorescently-labelled dextran can be perfused through engineered vessels to analyze vascular permeability
Dextran is used to make microcarriers for industrial cell culture
Orally-administered dextran sodium sulphate is used to induce colitis in animal models of inflammatory bowel disease. Side effects
Although relatively few side effects are associated with dextran use, these side effects can be very serious. These include anaphylaxis, volume overload, pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, or platelet dysfunction. An uncommon but significant complication of dextran osmotic effect is acute kidney injury. The pathogenesis of this kidney failure is the subject of many debates with direct toxic effect on tubules and glomerulus versus intraluminal hyperviscosity being some of the proposed mechanisms. Patients with history of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or vascular disorders are most at risk. Brooks and others recommend the avoidance of dextran therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease. Research
Efforts have been made to develop modified dextran polymers. One of these has acetal modified hydroxyl groups. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents. This allows it to be processed in the same manner as many polyesters, like poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), through processes like solvent evaporation and emulsion. Acetalated dextran is structurally different from acetylated dextran. As of 2017 several uses for drug delivery had been explored in vitro and a few had been tested in animal models. See also
Pentoxifylline

References
External links
Resource on dextran properties and structure of dextran polymers
Dextrans at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)