Effect of mannozym treatment on plasma fibronectin concentration in germfree and conventional mice.

As a result of a single intraperitoneal treatment with 1 mg/ml of Mannozym (M) the plasma fibronectin (FN) level was significantly increased both in germfree (Gf) and conventional (Cv) mice, and though it started from a lower value in Gf mice, it rose to a similar level to that of Cv animals. The maximum of FN level was observed on the first day after treatment both in Gf and Cv mice. It had returned to normal by the 7th day in Cv mice, but it was higher in Gf mice as compared to untreated controls even on the 14th day. Thus the increase of FN level was of higher degree and longer duration following M treatment in Gf mice than in Cv animals. In treated Gf mice the plasma FN concentration was in the same range as in untreated Cv mice even at the termination of experiment. Both in Gf and Cv mice, there was a relative spleen weight increase, the degree of which was similar, but the duration was longer in Gf mice than in Cv ones.