Treatment of experimental peritonitis in rats by transfer of peritoneal mononuclear cells from rats injected with semisoluble aminated glucan

The efficacy of treatment with semisoluble aminated glucan (s.a.g.) and donor peritoneal mononuclear cells was investigated in two separate models of peritonitis (exogenous Escherichia coli challenge or caecal perforation). Intraperitoneal administration of s.a.g. significantly protected against both forms of peritonitis. Our previous studies indicated this protective effect to be mediated by macrophage activation, and this was corroborated by the effect of injecting rats with s.a.g.-stimulated donor peritoneal cells (approximately 95% macrophages) immediately after induction of peritonitis. Increased bacterial clearance and survival time were achieved with this treatment as compared with rats injected with cells from saline-treated donors. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated activation of macrophages from the s.a.g.-treated rats. The results provided further support for the concept that s.a.g. exerts its therapeutic effect by stimulation of macrophages.