Distribution of catalase, ribonuclease and superoxide dismutase modified by monomethoxy (polyethylene glycol) into rat central lymph and lymphatic nodes.

The plasma-lymphatic distribution of ribonuclease (RNase), superoxide dismutase (SODase), and catalase (CTase) modified by monomethoxy (polyethylene glycol) (mPEG) was studied in rats. The lymphatic bioavailability (FL) of individual enzymes administered intravenously was determined on the basis of plasmatic and lymphatic concentration curves. It was concluded that FL values depend on enzyme-adduct molecular weight (m.w.). The highest FL value was found in mPEG-RNase (the lowest m.w.), medium value in mPEG-SODase (intermediate m.w.), and the lowest one in mPEG-CTase (the highest m.w.). The binding of these enzymes in the lymphatic tissue of iliac, intestinal, brachial and neck nodes was also proportional to their molecular weight. The lymphatic binding was dependent on the node localization, higher concentrations being found in the iliac and neck nodes in contrast to the other nodes (intestinal, brachial).