Clearance and tissue distribution of intravenously injected Salmonella typhi polysaccharide in rabbits.

The interaction of Freeman polysaccharide of Salmonella typhi with blood and tissues of rabbits was studied by radioimmunoassay. After intravenous injection of 1.0 mg of S. typhi Freeman polysaccharide, a rapid clearance phase (t1/2, 6.0 min) was followed by a slower clearance period (t1/2, 55.2 min). These results suggest first, that the distribution of whole lipopolysaccharide is a function of how the polysaccharides are handled by the host; further, that the O side chain determines how and where lipopolysaccharide is cleared from the circulatory system; and finally, that Freeman polysaccharide regulates the toxicity of lipopolysaccharide by influencing its clearance from blood.