Vascular and cellular responses to guanidino propyl piperazine CK0569A, a new anti-plaque agent.

Guanidino propyl piperazine CK0569A (abbreviation piperazine) used as a 0.1% mouthrinse has been shown to be effective against plaque bacteria. In addition to its efficacy as an antibacterial agent, its safety should be taken into consideration. In this study the effect of piperazine on the microcirculation of the hamster cheek pouch was studied. The effect of this drug was also investigated on rat leukocytes in vivo and on macrophages and erythrocytes in vitro. Piperazine caused a distinct retardation in the microcirculation of the hamster cheeck pouch even at a low concentration (0.01%), but the effect was abolished in 5 min. The number of leukocytes decreased markedly in the experimentally induced inflammatory exudate in the presence of 0.05% piperazine as compared to the controls. The macrophages in vitro released their lysosomal and cytoplasmic enzymes and lost their viability. The erythrocytes in vitro were destroyed in the presence of 0.005% piperazine as well. Based on these results it can be suggested that 0.005-0.05% piperazine under experimental conditions causes changes that indicate loss of cell viability.