Study on the effect of polybutyl-2-cyanoacrylate nanoparticles and their metabolites on the phagocytic activity of peritoneal exudate cells of mice.

The phagocytic activity of peritoneal exudate cells (PECs) harvested from peritoneal cavity of mice after a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment with poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PBCN) and their probable metabolites [poly(cyanoacrylic acid) (PCAA) and n-butanol] was investigated in an in vitro phagocytic assay. Polymer suspension of PBCN was given as a single i.p. injection at doses of 200 and 10 mgkg(-1), 3, 18, 72 and 120 h before the performance of the phagocytic assay. PCAA and n-butanol were given at the same manner at doses of 126.8 and 96.8 mgkg(-1), respectively (equivalent to a dose of 200 mgkg(-1) of intact PBCN after enzyme hydrolysis) 3, 18 and 120 h before the test performance. The phagocytic assay was performed in vitro in tubes with sheep red blood cells (SRBC). Phagocytic index (percentage of PECs ingested more than 3 sheep erythrocytes), phagocytic number, and ingestion capacity (number of erythrocytes ingested per cell) were the parameters used for evaluation of the phagocytic activity. The alterations of phagocytic activity of the PECs observed were strongly time- and dose-dependent. Administration of all tested compounds shortly before the test performance resulted in a considerable decrease in the capability of PECs to ingest SRBC. The alterations of phagocytic activity decreased when the time between the treatment of mice and the phagocytic assay is on the increase. The dose of 200 mgkg(-1) of PBCN administered 120 h before the phagocytic assay led to the significant increase of the phagocytic index of PECs. The phagocytic function of assayed PECs was temporary impeded and 5 days were completely enough for their restoration.