Effect of copper-dextran complex (C-79) on the immunity indices in normothermic rabbits and in postpyrogenic fever.

The complex combination of bivalent copper with 3-mercapto-2-hydroxypropyl ether of dextran (preparation C-79) was intravenously injected to normothermic rabbits in the doses 0.04 mg/kg, 0.4 mg/kg and 0.8 mg/kg and additionally in the dose of 0.4 mg/kg to febrile rabbits with fever induced by i.v. administration of 0.32 micrograms/kg LPS from E. coli. The following indices were determined: killing and phagocytic capability of peripheral blood neutrophils, migration of lymphocytes, number of T and B cells and number of cells producing IgM after SRBC immunization. Normothermic rabbits responded to C-79 administration by: increase of killing capability of peripheral blood neutrophils, enhanced formation of rosettes against RRBC and EAC rosettes, increased amount of IgM producing cells and inhibition of migration activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes. As a result of the interaction with bacterial pyrogen, C-79 potentiates and prolongs the stimulatory effect of LPS on the killing ability and phagocytic activity of neutrophils, prolongs the mitogenic effect of LPS on B lymphocytes and potentiates the immunogenic effect evidenced by the increased number of IgM producing cells.