NEW GLYCOLIPIDS (CHITOOLIGOSACCHARIDE DERIVATIVES) POSSESSING IMMUNOSTIMULATING AND ANTITUMOR ACTIVITIES

New glycolipids, derived from chitooligosaccharides of dp 2-4 and cont aining both free and acylated amino groups, were synthesized. The stru cture of the key compounds (di-, tri-, and tetra-saccharides acylated with different fatty acids) were elucidated by C-13 NMR spectroscopy. Only the amino group of the reducing end of the chitooligosaccharides was found to be acylated when equimolecular amounts of reagents were u sed. The compounds obtained were shown to possess a low toxicity and c ertain immunostimulatory and antitumor activities. An induction of int erleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor by the immunocompetent cells and an augmentation by 140-180% of the mean life of mice with the Erlich c arcinoma were observed.