Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P J Upman.
Significant changes in the approach to determining the nonclinical compatibility of medical devices are on the way with the revision of ISO 10993, Biological Evaluation of Medical Devices, Part 4, Selection of Tests for Interactions with Blood.
The median lethal dose (LD50) of chymopapain B in mice was 82 mg/kg (22,000 units/kg) with 95% confidence limits of 75-90 mg/kg (20, 122-24, 146 units/kg) and in rats 92 (24,683 units/kg) with 95% confidence limits of 83-102 mg/kg (22,268-27, 366 units/kg). The mechanism of toxicity was hemorrhage due to destruction of the cement substance of the blood vessels. Intervertebral disc injection of chymopapain B in the rabbit at a dose level of 186 micrograms (50 units) caused chemonucleolysis in 67% of the rabbits as evidenced by partial dissolution of the nucleus pulposus. Chemonucleolysis was also noted at higher doses. No adverse affects were noted with a 20 fold increase to 3.7 mg (1000 units). A dose of 18.6 mg (5000 units)/disc caused paralysis of the hindlegs. A dose as high as 26.6 mg (7143 units) /disc caused nearly complete dissolution of the nucleus pulposus and can cause disruption of the annulus fibrosus and death. Guinea pigs receiving a sensitizing dose of 0.003 mg/kg (0.8 units/kg) chymopapain B intraperitoneally six times over two weeks were challenged with an intravenous dose of 0.03 mg (8 units)/kg. All animals exhibited marked anaphylactic signs with a resulting 50% fatality rate.