DEXTRAN SULFATES PROTECT PORCINE ARTERIAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS FROM FREE-RADICAL INJURY

1 The ability of dextran sulphate to protect cultured porcine arterial endothelial cells injured by addition of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) or hydrogen peroxide to cell medium was examined using a variety of drug preparations. Cell damage was assessed by determining cell viability (by frypan blue exclusion) and release of lactate dehydrogenase into the medium. 2 Dextran sulphates of average molecular weight (M(1)) 5000, 8000 (hydrogenated or unhydrogenated) at 0.05, 0.5, 5 and 50 mu g ml(-1) medium, added 24 h prior to X/XO, protected cells, whereas dextran sulphate M, 500,000 was protective only at 0.5 mu g ml(-1). 3 None of the dextran sulphates used showed any toxic effect on cells in concentrations up to 500 mu g ml(-1) medium. 4 When the duration of pretreatment with dextran sulphate M(1) 8000 was varied, 6 h was required for a protective effect on cells damaged by X/XO, which was enhanced with durations of 16 and 24 h. 5 Dextran sulphates had a similar protective effect on cells damaged by hydrogen peroxide. 6 This study suggests that dextran sulphates may prevent conditions resulting from free radical injury.