Platelet function and morphology were studied in eight healthy male volunteers before, immediately after, and 1 d after the infusion of 250 mL of 10% Intralipid. The plasma concentrations of the platelet-release products beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG), serotonin (5-HT), and platelet factor 4 (PF4) and the threshold to ADP- and adrenaline-induced aggregation were determined ex vivo. In addition the platelets were examined by electron microscopy. Although platelets released beta-TG, PF4, and 5-HT after the infusion, there was no significant change in ex vivo aggregability. About 3% of the platelets had internalized small-sized lipid particles (0.1-0.2 micron) whereas no other morphological changes were detected. The release products may negatively affect the hemorheological properties of the microcirculation in critically ill patients. The release of PF4 may explain the antiheparin effect of parenteral lipid therapy.