[Use of liposomes to demonstrate the function of the mononuclear phagocyte system]

The possibility of using liposomes containing an indicator composition (dye or fluorophor) for the determination of the eliminative activity of the system of mononuclear phagocytes (SMP) was studied. Liposomes were obtained by the sonication of the suspension of lecithin, cholesterol and an indicator substance. The rate of the elimination of liposomes from the blood stream after their intravenous injection into Wistar rats (males) was evaluated photometrically or fluorometrically in hemolyzed blood samples taken from the animals at different periods after the injection. The data thus obtained were processed by means of a microcomputer with the use of a specially developed program. The results of this investigation suggest that liposomes can be used for the study of the eliminative activity of SMP.