[Astasian: A new stimulator of peritoneal macrophages]

Immunological properties of astasin, a novel substance isolated from Astasia longa was studied. 3-4 days after intraperitoneal administration of astasin in a dose of 1000 micrograms per a mouse (50 mg/kg) in the form of suspension in physiological solution or gel in dimethylsulfoxide there was observed maximum increase in the number of the Fc-receptor cells of the macrophage plasmatic membranes and intensity of sheep red blood cell phagocytosis (3.6-4 and 3.2-4-fold, respectively). Dimethylsulfoxide solution of astasin increased migration of the cells into the abdominal cavity by 5.8 times. The respective figure for the astasin suspension was 28. times. Therefore, differences in the nature of the effect and quantitative indices after the exposure to astasin in the above two forms were observed. Sodium chloride isotonic solution of astasin had a retarded but more prolonged effect on the macrophages which was probably due to gradual digestion of the polysaccharide phagocyted granules by the macrophages.