Poloxamer 188

Poloxamer 188 (P188) is a nonionic block linear copolymer that exhibits rheologic, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective activities in various tissue injury models ^A33121. Composed of two hydrophilic side-chains attached to a hydrophobic center core ^A27218, its average molecular weight is 8400 Daltons. P188 was originally approved by the FDA in the 1960s as a therapeutic agent to reduce viscosity in the blood before transfusions, however it is no longer available in any approved products ^A27217. Due to its sufactant properties, P188 may also be found in over-the-counter (OTC) products such as toothpaste, laxatives and mouthwash, and used in various cosmetic, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. There is an evidence of P188 increasing the structural stability and resealing of the plasma membrane via direct incorporation into the phospholipid bilayer ^A27217. The ability of P188 in attenuating membrane damage and cell injury has been demonstrated in a variety of in vivo and in vitro models ^A27218. The use of P188 as a potential treatment in different pathological conditions, such as chronic microvascular diseases and skeletal muscle deficiencies, is under investigation ^A27217.