Radiation technology in the preparation of polyethylene oxide hydrophilic gels and immobilization of proteases for use in medical practice

This paper deals with the development of a technology for making a hydrophilic gel of polyethylene oxide reception in which radiating ability is employed to cause cross-linking of polymers in a water solution. The gel of polyethylene oxide was shown to be nontoxic, contain 5-50% of polymer and be useful in composite medicinal forms along with biologically active substances including Bac. subtilis proteases. Proteases immobilized in the gel possess high thermal stability and proteolytic activity and are readily applied in medicine. The effect of immobilized proteolytic and glucolytic enzymes of Bac. subtillis (Immozimase) on the warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) which can cause hepatic and jejunum injury was also studied. These enzymes were immobilized on water-soluble polymer polyethylene glycol by means of an electron beam. The number of degranulated mast cells as well as serum ALT after I/R in the group with Immozimase was decreased to almost half as compared with the control group. Pretreatment with Immozimase resulted in significant reduction of hepatic and gut neutrophil accumulation as compared with control animals. It was concluded that Immozimase has a protective effect for hepatic and gut ischemia/reperfusion, and this effect seems to be associated with prevention of leukocyte accumulation.