EFFECT OF COMPLEXATION WITH DEXTRAN SULFATE ON THE LYMPHATIC DELIVERY OF BLEOMYCIN FOLLOWING INTRASTITIAL ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

Enhanced delivery of bleomycin (BLM) into lymphatics by complexation with dextran sulfate was investigated following intramuscular and intragastric injection in rats. It was observed that the injection of the complex aqueous solution into muscle or stomach did not slow down the rate of disappearance from the site of injection. However, when the complex was protected from dissociation by incorporating into W/O emulsion system, intramuscular injection of BLM caused a slower disappearance from the tissue, and a more retarded plasma peak concentration than the complex aqueous solution or the emulsion system containing free BLM. Intragastric injection of the emulsion containing complex showed the most enhanced delivery of BLM into the regional lymph nodes. The results of this study suggest the exsistence of a special transport mechanism through which BLM is delivered together with dextran sulfate into lymphatics.