Purification of pluronic F-68 for perfluorochemical emulsification

A novel technique for purification of Pluronic F-68 has been developed involving passage through a silica-Amberlite resin column. Impurities present in commercial grade Pluronic could be readily removed, as confirmed by analysis of absorption and fluorescence emission bands. Intravenous injection of a 4% (w/v) unpurified Pluronic solution in male rats increased mean liver weight by 14% (P less than 0.05) after 24 h and increased spleen weight in female rats by 29% (P less than 0.01) after 7 days. No corresponding tissue weight changes occurred following injection of purified Pluronic solution. Haematocrit and red cell counts were also unchanged throughout. We propose that the use of purified Pluronic for perfluorochemical emulsification may reduce previously reported side-effects.