Protection by aminated glucan in experimental endogenous peritonitis.

The effect of prophylactic intraperitoneal aminated glucan on the survival rate and formation of adhesions and abscesses was investigated in rats with acute and subacute peritonitis, respectively induced by cecal perforation and ileal ligation. A significantly reduced mortality was found in both forms of peritonitis. Pretreatment by aminated glucan also significantly reduced the number of abscesses and peritoneal adhesions. An about threefold increase in peritoneal macrophages in aminated glucan-treated rats compared to controls was noted. In vitro studies, using 32P-labelled Escherichia coli, demonstrated that peritoneal macrophages from aminated glucan-treated rats had an enhanced ability to engulf and degrade bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy showed that macrophages from aminated glucan-treated animals were highly spread with prominent ruffling and bacteria located intracellularly, as opposed to macrophages from controls which were rounded with bacteria on the cell surface.