Removal of endotoxin in blood by polymyxin B immobilized polystyrene-derivative fiber.

Polymyxin B, a cationic cyclic decapeptide antibiotic, is well known to bind endotoxin and to neutralize its toxicity. Based on this principle, polymyxin B was immobilized on the chloroacetamidomethylated polystyrene fiber that is reinforced by polypropylene. The adsorbing capacity of the obtained fibers (polymyxin B immobilized fiber [PMX-F]) was evaluated on endotoxin and other serum components in serum and on heparin in phosphate-buffered saline.