Toxicity and dose response of intra-abdominally administered poly-L-alpha-lysine and poly-L-glutamate for postoperative adhesion protection.
OBJECTIVE
Two differently charged polypeptides, poly-L-lysine (PL) and poly-L-glutamate (PG), have previously been shown to reduce postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. This study aims to investigate the possible toxic effects and to establish a lowest effective antiadhesive dose.


METHODS
152 mice were investigated with a well-known adhesion model and given different concentrations of the two differently charged polypeptides as well as only the cationic PL.


RESULTS
For the first time, a probable toxic level of PL given intraperitoneally (40 mg/kg) and the lowest significant concentration of PL and PG for antiadhesive purposes (1.6 mg/kg) could be established.


CONCLUSIONS
The gap between the possible toxicity level of PL and the lowest efficient antiadhesive dose is probably too narrow, and the shape and charge of PL warrant continuous research for another polycation in the concept of differently charged polypeptides used as antiadhesive agents.
Isaksson
K
K
Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden.
Akerberg
D
D
Andersson
R
R
Tingstedt
B
B
D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D051379:Mice; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011107:Polylysine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control*
D011107:Polylysine; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid