Enhanced anti-inflammatory effect and reduced immunogenicity of bovine liver superoxide dismutase by conjugation with homologous albumin.

Bovine liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) can be cross-linked to albumin to form soluble conjugates with up to 70% retention of original enzyme activity. These conjugates have markedly prolonged plasma half-times of enzymatic activity (15 h) compared to native SOD (6 min). The conjugates have potent anti-inflammatory effects in vivo and reduced immunogenicity and antigenicity compared to native SOD. These conjugates provide new possibilities for the study of inflammation and its treatment.