(1-]3)-BETA-D-GLUCAN DETERMINATION IN RAT ORGANS WITH LIMULUS COAGULATION-FACTOR-G

One cause of a false positive limulus test after surgery or hemodialys is has been identified as extrinsic(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan which was d erived from surgical gauze or cellulose dialyzer. However, there have been no investigations concerning intrinsic factors and the presence o f(l --> 3)-beta-D-glucan in mammalian organs. In this study, (1 --> 3) -beta-D-glucan in homogenate of various rat organs and stool was measu red by a Gluspecy test (G test) using factor G, which specifically rea cts with (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan. In small intestine and lung, large a mounts of factor G-activating substance were observed and identified a s (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan by a digestion study using end-(1 --> 3)-bet a-D-glucanase. However, only very small amounts of(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glu can were found in the kidney, spleen, vena cava, aorta, thymus, heart and liver. In serum and plasma, no (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan was observe d. On the other hand, extremely large amounts of (1 --> 3)-beta-D-gluc an were found in stool. Minute amounts of (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan were observed in a variety organs except for the small intestine and lung. High levels of (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan found in the small intestine m ight be traced to contamination by stool in the small intestine, and s uch levels in the lung might derive from macrophages which have trappe d (1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucan in the air.