Polidocanol is a non-ionic surfactant sclerosing agent indicated to treat uncomplicated spider veins and uncomplicated reticular veins in the lower extremity. Polidocanol also is indicated for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein system above and below the knee. When administered, polidocanol locally damages blood vessel endothelium. Following the endothelial damage, platelets aggregate at the site and attach to the venous wall eventually resulting in a dense network of platelets, cellular debris, and fibrin that occludes the vessel. Eventually the vessel is replaced by connective fibrous tissue. Adverse reactions include pain in extremity, infusion site thrombosis, contusion/injection site hematoma, limb discomfort and some others.
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Rat peritoneal mast cells were used for activity evaluation. The mast cells were incubated for 3 hr at 37°C with a range of concentrations of Dodecyl Ethyleneglycol Monoether (from 0.001 to 10.0 mM). The cell density was generally about 1 x 10^5 cells/assay tube. After incubation with the surfactants, the cells were centrifuged and the separated supematant solution and cell pellet were assayed for histamine
