Evaluation of Copovithane as a Nonspecific Immunomodulator in Surgically Simulated Sepsis

Copovithane (CPV), a synthetic polymer, has been shown to have antitumor activity and also to reduce mortality in experimental murine peritonitis. The purpose of this study was to compare CPV with muramyl dipeptide (MDP), (in immunomodulator of proven efficacy in simulated surgical infection. Six groups of CBA/J mice were compared; they received intramuscular injections of normal saline (controls), MDP (100 µg), or CPV (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) 24 h prior to bacterial challenge. The challenge consisted of a Klebsiella-impregnated thigh suture. The first experiment assessed survival after bacterial challenge. The MDP and the CPV groups both had median survival times of 3 days, significantly longer than the control group (1 day, p