METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a method and composition is provided for treating pathological hydrophobic interactions in biological fluids in which there is acute impairment of the circulation, especially the microcirculation. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating circulatory diseases comprising using certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation surface active copolymers either alone or in combination with other compounds. The surface active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula: HO(C2H4O)b(C3H6O)a(C2H4O)bH, wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably approximately 1750 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50 % to 95 % by weight of the compound.

Description: "METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS IN BIOLOGICAL FLUIDS" Technical Field The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating pathological hydrophobic interactions in which there is acute impairment of the circulation, especially the microcirculation. More particularly, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating circulatory diseases comprising using certain ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation copolymers either alone or in combination with other compounds, including but not limited to, anticoagulants, free radical scavengers, antiinflammatory agents, antibiotics, membrane stabilizers and/or perfusion media. Background of the Invention The term "pathological hydrophobic interactions" means detrimental adhesion of components, including but not limited to, cells and molecules in blood or other biological fluids thereby slowing or stopping the flow of blood or other biological fluid. The terms "isotonic" or "isoosmotic" solution are defined as solutions having the same osmotic pressure as blood. The term "SOD" means superoxide dismutase and refers to any enzyme capable of neutralizing oxygen radicals. The terms clot, fibrin clot and thrombus are used interchangeably. The term "microcirculation" means blood circulation through blood vessels that are about 50 microns in diameter or less. The term "soluble fibrin" means soluble high molecular weight polymers of fibrinogen and fibrin. The term "biological fluids" means blood, lymph, or other fluids found in animals or humans. The term "platelet suspension" means a suspension of platelets that has a higher concentration of platelets than that found in blood. The term "plasma extender" means any substance that can be added to animal or human blood to maintain or increase coloid osmotic pressure. The term "cytoprotective" as used herein, means an increased ability of myocardial, endothelial and other cells to withstand ischemia or recover from ischemia or other noxious insults including but not limited to burns. The term "ischemic tissue" is any tissue that is damaged from reduced blood flow. The term "anticoagulant" is any compound or agent that inhibits the blood coagulation process. The term "reperfusion injury" means injury to tissue or cells which occurs during reperfusion of damaged tissue with blood. The term "damaged tissue" means tissue damaged by ischemia, burns, toxins or other noxious insult. It is to be understood that the citation of art contained herein is in no way to be construed as an admission that said art is suitable reference against the present patent application nor should this citation act as a waiver of any rights to overcome said art which may be available to the applicant. Animal studies have provided a better understanding of the events which control blood flow and tissue death following an event which causes ischemia, such as coronary artery thrombosis. Much of the heart muscle receives blood from more than one vessel. For this and other reasons, the tissue changes following a coronary thrombosis are divided into distinct zones. The central zone of tissue, i.e., usually that zone of tissue closest to the thrombus, becomes almost completely necrotic. This is surrounded by an area of severe ischemia. Outside this is an area of lesser ischemia called the marginal zone. Finally, there is a jeopardized zone which surrounds the entire area. In studies with baboons, the central necrotic area was not affected by recanalization of the vessel after several hours. However, muscle in the other zones which had undergone less severe damage during the ischemic period could be salvaged. A surprising finding was that lysing of the thrombus to produce a normal arteriograph was insufficient to restore normal flow in the majority of animals. (See Flameng, et al, J. Clin. Invest., Vol. 75, p. 84-90, 1985). Some further impediment to flow had developed in the area supplied by the vessel during the time that it was occluded. In further studies, it was demonstrated that immediately after removing the obstruction to the vessel, the flow through the damaged tissue began at a high rate. However, within a short time the blood flow through the ischemic zone decreased and the tissue died. Consequently, the regional blood flow immediately after reperfusion is a poor predictor of the salvage of myocardial tissue. If the blood flow through the damaged tissue remained near the normal levels, the success of tissue salvage was much greater. Hemorrhage occurred almost exclusively in the severely ischemic zone reflecting damage to the small blood vessels. The hemorrhage, however, remained limited to the severely ischemic tissue and did not cause extension of the infarction or other serious complication. Therapies which could preserve the blood flow through the small blood vessels distal to the major area of thrombus after reperfusion could be expected to markedly increase the salvage of myocardial tissue. The damage to heart muscle cells which occurs after lysing the thrombus is due to other factors as well as ischemia. Contact of fresh blood with damaged or dead cells induces the influx of neutrophils, or pus cells, which can damage or kill heart cells which would otherwise have recovered. Much of the damage caused by neutrophils has been attributed to superoxide ions. (For a general review, please see "Oxygen Radicals and Tissue Injury" Proceedings of a Brook Lodge Symposium, Augusta Michigan, Barry Halliwell, Ed.) The superoxide anion can damage tissue in several ways. The interaction of the superoxide anion with hydrogen peroxide leads to the production of hydroxyl radicals which are highly toxic and react rapidly with most organic molecules. Mannitol is a selective scavenger of hydroxyl radicals. The enzyme, superoxide dismutase, catalyzes the decomposition of the superoxide anion. Enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, free radical scavengers or agents which prevent the influx on neutrophils are able to increase the salvage of heart muscle cells. Continuing therapy is needed even after restoration of blood flow and salvage of damaged tissue. The arteriosclerosis that caused the original heart attack remains. American and European researchers have found that arteriosclerosis still narrows the arteries in 70-80% of patients whose clots were lysed by thrombolytic therapy. Many physicians believe this obstruction must be opened for long term benefits.. Balloon angioplasty is a procedure whereby a catheter with a small balloon is inserted into the narrowed artery. The balloon is inflated, compresses the atherosclerotic plaque against the vessel wall and dilates the artery. The effectiveness of this procedure is limited by the effects of ischemia produced by the balloon, by embolization of atheromatous material which lodges in distal vessels and by an increased tendency for immediate or delayed thrombosis in the area damaged by the balloon. The balloon tears the tissue exposing underlying collagen and lipid substances which induce formation of thrombi. The thrombus may occlude the vessel immediately or set up a sequence of events which leads to occlusion many days or weeks later. In addition, there is an interruption of blood flow to the heart tissue when the balloon is inflated. When the blood flow is interrupted, tissue downstream from the balloon is deprived of blood and can be damaged. Balloon angioplasty is representative of numerous clinical and experimental procedures for repairing the lumen of diseased arteries and vessels. What is needed is a means of rendering the surface of the dilated vessel less thrombogenic, improving the blood flow through the distal tissue and breaking the embolized material into smaller pieces which are less likely to produce embolic damage. A means of restoring blood flow through the microcapillaries downstream from the site of balloon inflation is also required. A number of reports have described high amounts of fibrinogen and/or soluble fibrin in the blood of patients with thrombosis, impending thrombosis and many other diseases. These conditions include acute or chronic infection, severe trauma, burns, sickle cell crisis, malaria, leukemia, myocardial infarction, sepsis, shock, and almost any serious illness which produces tissue damage or surgical maneuvers. Evidence indicates that the high concentrations of fibrinogen and/or soluble fibrin may play an important role in the pathology of the conditions. Furthermore, much of the pathology that is encountered in disease may be due to pathological hydrophobic interactions which may be at least partially mediated by high concentration of fibrinogen and/or soluble fibrin. Another area where fibrinogen/fibrin plays a role is tumors. There is now strong evidence that fibrinogen-related proteins are localized in solid tumors. The anatomical distribution of fibrin in tumors varies depending on the tumor type. In carcinomas, fibrin is deposited in the tumor stroma and around tumor nests and may be particularly abundant toward the tumor periphery and at the tumor host interface. By contrast, fibrin is often less prominent in older, more central tumor stroma characterized by sclerotic collagen deposits. Fibrin may also be found between individual carcinoma cells. In some, but not all such cases, interepithelial fibrin deposits are related to zones of tumor necrosis; however, zones of tumor necrosis are not necessarily sites of fibrin deposition. Fibrin deposition in sarcomas has been less carefully studied than that in carcinomas. In lymphomas, fibrin deposits may be observed between individual malignant tumor cells as well as between adjacent, apparently reactive benign lymphoid elements. Fibrin has been reported to appear in zones of tumor sclerosis, as in Hodgkin's disease. Research has indicated that the pattern and extent of fibrin deposition are characteristic for a given tumor. (See Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Basic Principles and Clinical Practice, "Abnormalities of Hemostasis in Malignancy", pp. 1145 - 1157, ed. by R.W. Colman, et al., J. B. Lippincott Company, 1987). The lack of a uniform vascular supply to tumors can impede diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. For example, hypoxic tumors are less susceptible to many drugs and to radiation. Conventional drugs and new drugs, such as monoclonal antibody conjugates, are not effective unless they are delivered to tumor cells. Fibrin deposits that surround some types of tumors inhibit delivery of the drugs to the tumor. The blood supply of tumors is further compromised by other factors as well. Blood vessels in tumors are frequently small and tortuous. The hydrodynamic resistance of such channels further impedes the flow of blood to tumors. What is needed is a means of decreasing the adverse effects of soluble fibrin. This would involve blocking the adhesion of soluble fibrin to cells in the circulation thereby blocking the aggregation of such cells and their adhesion or friction to vessel walls in the microvasculature. This would also decrease the risk of thrombosis. Another problem that commonly occurs in damaged tissue where blood flow is interrupted is a phenomenon called "no reflow" phenomenon. This is a condition wherein blood flow is interrupted to a tissue. When blood flow is restarted, such as after a clot is removed, flow in the smaller microcapillaries is often impaired because blood cells tend to clump in the microcapillaries thereby inhibiting flow of blood to the tissue. This can result in damage to the tissue. A need is a composition and method that can be used to prevent or treat "no reflow" phenomenon. Such a composition should be capable of causing blood to flow in tissue after blood flow has stopped thereby preventing tissue damage. Increased demand for platelet concentrates to treat bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia has prompted the need to determine optimal methods of storing platelets prior to transfusing them into a patient. Viability, as measured by survival of 51 Cr-labeled platelets, seems best preserved when stored at 22°C, whereas platelet function, as measured by the ability of platelets to aggregate in response to epinephrine, collagen, and adenosine diphosphate is better preserved at 4°C. Platelets stored at room temperature for 48 to 72 hours as well as those kept refrigerated for 24 to 48 hours have been found by different investigators to produce satisfactory increases in platelet levels when transfused to thombocytopenic patients. Thus, blood banks wishing to store platelets prior to their transfusion into a patient are faced with the dilemma of whether they should be kept at room temperature, thus preserving their lifespan but possibly compromising their functional capacity, or whether they should be stored in the approximately 4°C with the resultant preservation of function but shortening of post-transfusion survival time. What is needed is a composition and method which can be added to a suspension of platelets which will preserve both lifespan and function of the platelets so that the platelet suspension can be stored for longer periods of time. Such a composition should also be capable of inhibiting the aggregation or clumping of platelets in the suspension. Finally, the present inventor has identified a phenomenon called pathological hydrophobic interactions between blood components and those cells which line the blood vessels. This phenomenon is typically encountered when tissue is damaged in some manner. These pathological hydrophobic interactions cause blood flow to be reduced or stopped thereby causing damage to surrounding tissue. What is needed is a composition and method for reducing the pathological hydrophobic interactions and thereby allowing blood to flow into the damaged tissue. Summary of the Invention In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating pathologic hydrophobic interactions in blood and other biological fluids. In particular, the method of the present invention limits or prevents damage due to (1) high concentrations of hydrophobic soluble fibrin, (2) cell damage due to the exposing of hydrophobic domains in the cell membrane that are usually hidden or buried. The method of the present invention also has a cytoprotective effect. The method of the present invention increases flow of biological fluids in diseased tissue. The flow in such tissue is commonly impeded because of the pathological hydrophobic interactions between cells and or certain molecules. The present invention includes the use of a surface active copolymer for treatment of diseases and conditions in which resistance to blood flow is caused by injury due to the presence of adhesive proteins or damaged membranes. Such proteins and damaged membranes increase resistance in the microvasculature by increasing friction and reducing the effective radius of the blood vessel. The most important of these proteins are fibrinogen and soluble fibrin. The method comprises administering to an animal or human an effective amount of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably about 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. Another embodiment of the present invention is a composition comprising the combination of the surface active copolymer and free radical scavengers including but not limited to, superoxide dismutase and mannitol, mercaptopropionyl glycine. The surface active copolymer can also be used with agents that prevent the generation of free radical species including, but not limited to, ibuprofen, BW 755C, nafazatrom, prostacyclin, iloprost, allopurinol, phenytoin as well as other anti- inflammatory or cytoprotective drugs. It is to be understood that the term free radical scavengers includes both the scavenger compounds and the compounds that prevent the generation of free radical species. The present invention includes a composition comprising the combination of surface active copolymer, clot lysing enzyme and free radical scavenger and also the a composition comprising combination of surface active copolymer and free radical scavenger alone. In accordance with the present invention, a composition and method is provided that is effective in prolonging the function and lifespan of platelets in suspension. The method comprises adding an effective amount of a surface active copolymer to the platelet suspension. The surface active copolymer can be an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably about 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. The present invention also embodies a method for efficiently delivering drugs to and into diseased or damaged tissue. This includes tissue damaged by infection, trauma, burns, or other noxious insult. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating pathologic hydrophobic interactions of components in blood or other biological fluids. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for protecting cells during and after an ischemic period. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and composition for protecting tissue after a burn. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for protecting myocardial cells, endothelial cells and other cells from ischemia. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of enhancing the ability of cells and tissue to recover from ischemia. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition that will reduce the need for anticoagulation in therapy of thrombosis and thereby lessen the danger of hemorrhage. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition that accelerates the dissolution of clots by freeing aggregated platelets and blocking further platelets from aggregating to the clot. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition that contains a surface active copolymer and a free radical or oxygen scavenger, such as superoxide dismutase mannitol, and/or mercaptopropionyl glycine . It is a further object of the present invention to provide a composition that can promote blood flow through microvascular channels of tissue damaged by ischemia and reduce the amount of tissue which undergoes necrosis. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for delivering drugs to damaged or diseased tissue. . It is a further object of the present invention to provide a composition that will promote removal of lipids from atherosclerotic vessel walls and thereby lessen the incidence of rethrombosis. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved composition and method for ex vivo preservation of organs. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition that will reduce the risk of thrombosis associated with foreign body damage such as angioplasty, unstable angina, trauma and microvascular thrombosis. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition which will reduce the risk of thrombosis immediately or at some time after invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty which damage endothelial cells of the vasculature. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a composition to block the aggregation of platelets in blood vessels distal to the thrombosis and thereby limit extension of tissue damage. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a composition to improve blood flow through and around tissue with extensive necrosis or damage of myocardial or other cells thereby retarding necrosis of additional myocardial tissue. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition which will reduce the influx of neutrophils into damaged tissue and thereby reduce the extent of injury caused by toxic products of neutrophils. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a composition that will decrease the amount of ischemia caused blockage of blood flow by a thrombus. It is yet another object of -the present invention to provide a method for increasing blood flow in ischemic or damaged tissue thereby reducing damage to the tissue. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for treating burns. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition that is effective in restarting and maintaining blood flow through microcapillaries after ischemia. It is an object of the present invention to provide composition and method for prolonging the life-span and function of platelets. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition and method that will allow platelet suspensions to be stored for longer periods of time then is presently possible with prior art methods. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composition and method that can be added to conventional platelet containers so that platelet suspensions can be stored for a longer period of time. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a composition and method that can be used to prolong the lifespan of cell suspensions. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of storing a concentrated suspensions of platelets whereby platelet function is prolonged thereby allowing longer storage times. It is another object of the present invention to provide a a method of storing a concentrated suspension of platelets for transfusion into a patient. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a composition and method for treatment of shock using a surface active copolymer with a plasma extender. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and composition for treating microvascular diseases caused by endotoxin such as septic shock. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims. Brief Description of the Figures Fig. 1. is a graph showing the effect of the surface active copolymer on flow of blood through a clot. Fig. 2 illustrates the ability of the surface active copolymer to preserve platelet function when using ADP as the agonist. 13 Fig. 3 illustrates the preservation effect of the surface active copolymer on platelets over 24 and 72 hours when using collagen as an agonist. Fig. 4. illustrates the effect of the surface active copolymer on blood viscosity in patients before open heart surgery. Fib. 5. illustrates the effect of the surface active copolymer on blood viscosity in patients 6 hours after open heart surgery. Detailed Description of the Disclosed Embodiments In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided for treating pathologic hydrophobic interactions in blood and other biological fluids of humans and animals. The present invention includes the use of a surface active copolymer for treatment of diseases and conditions in which resistance to blood flow is pathologically increased by injury due to the presence of adhesive hydrophobic proteins, lipids damaged cells. This adhesion is produced by pathological hydrophobic interactions and does not require the interaction of specific ligands with their receptors. Such proteins and/or damaged cells increase resistance in the microvasculature by increasing friction and reducing the effective radius of the blood vessel. It is believed that the most important of these proteins is soluble fibrin. The method according to the present invention comprises administering to the animal or human suffering from a condition caused by a pathological hydrophobic interaction an effective amount of a surface active copolymer. The surface active copolymer may be administered as a solution by itself or it may by administered with another agent, including but not limited to, an anticoagulant, or an oxygen radical scavenger. The surface active copolymer in all embodiments of the present invention comprises the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C 3 H 6 O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably about 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95%, preferably 50% to 90% by weight of the compound. The most preferred surface active copolymer for use in the method of the present invention is a copolymer having the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H V 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein b is approximately 75 and a is approximately 30. The surface active copolymer of the present invention is effective in any condition where there is a pathological hydrophobic interaction between cells and/or molecules. These interactions are believed to be caused by (1) a higher than normal concentration of fibrinogen, (2) generation of intravascular or local soluble fibrin, especially high molecular weight fibrin, (3) increased friction in the microvasculature, or (4) mechanical or chemical trauma to blood components. All of these conditions cause an increase in pathological hydrophobic interactions of blood components such as cells and molecules. It is believed that fibrin, especially soluble fibrin, increases adhesion of cells to one another, markedly increases friction in small blood vessels and increases viscosity of the blood, especially at low shear rates. The effects of the surface active copolymer of the present invention are believed to be essentially lubrication effects because they reduce the friction caused by the adhesion. Although not wanting to be bound by the following hypothesis, it is believed that the present invention acts according to the following mechanism: Hydrophobic interactions are crucial determinants of biologic structure. They hold the phospholipids together in membranes and protein molecules in their native configurations. An understanding of the biology of the hydrophobic interactions is necessary to appreciate the biologic activities of the surface active copolymer. Water is a strongly hydrogen bonding liquid which, in its fluid state, forms bonds in all directions with surrounding molecules. Exposure of a hydrophobic surface, defined as any surface which forms insufficient bonds with water, produces a surface tension or lack of balance in the hydrogen bonding of water molecules. This force can be exceedingly strong. The surface tension of pure water is approximately 82 dynes/cm. This translates into a force of several hundred thousand pounds per square inch on the surface molecules. As two molecules or particles with hydrophobic surfaces approach, they adhere avidly. This adhesion is driven by the reduction in free energy which occurs when water molecules transfer from the stressed non-hydrogen bonding hydrophobic surface to the non-stressed bulk liquid phase. The energy holding such surfaces together, the work of adhesion, is a direct function of the surface tension of the particles (See: Adamson AW Physical Chemistry of Surfaces. Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1982): AB = YA + ΥB - YAB where WAB = work of adhesion or the energy necessary to separate one square centimeter of particle interface AB into two separate particles, γA and γβ are the surface tensions of particle A and particle B, γAB the interfacial tension between them. Consequently, any particles or molecules in the circulation which develop significant surface tensions will adhere to one another spontaneously. Such adhesion within membranes and macromolecules is necessary to maintain their integrity. We use the term "' normal hydrophobic interaction" to describe such forces. Under normal circumstances, all cells and molecules in the circulation have hydrophilic non-adhesive surfaces. Receptors and ligands which modulate cell and molecular interactions are generally located on the most hydrophilic exposed surfaces of cells and molecules where they are free to move about in the aqueous media and to interact with one another. Special carrier molecules are necessary to transport lipids and other hydrophobic substances in the circulation. In body fluids such as blood, nonspecific adhesive forces between mobile elements are extremely undesirable. We term these "'pathologic hydrophobic interactions" because they restrict movement of normally mobile elements and promote inappropriate adhesion of cells and molecules. In damaged tissue, hydrophobic domains normally located on the interior of cells and molecules may become exposed and produce pathologic adhesive surfaces whose interaction compounds the damage. Fibrin deposited along vessel walls also provide an adhesive surface. Such adhesive surfaces appear to be characteristic of damaged tissue. It is believed that the ability of the surface active copolymer to bind to adhesive hydrophobic surfaces and convert them to non-adhesive hydrated surfaces closely resembling those of normal tissues underlies its potential therapeutic activities in diverse disease conditions. Adhesion due to surface tension described above is different from the adhesion commonly studied in biology The commonly studied adhesion is due to specific receptor ligand interactions. In particular, it is different from the receptor- mediated adhesion of the fibrinogen - von Willibrand's factor family of proteins (See generally Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Basic Principles and Clinical Practice, ed. by Colman, et al., J.B. Lippincott Company (1987)). Both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic chains of the surface active copolymer have unique properties which contribute to biologic activity. The hydrophilic chains of POE are longer than those of most surfactants and they are flexible. They bind water avidly by hydrogen bond acceptor interactions with ether- linked oxygens. These long, strongly hydrated flexible chains are relatively incompressible and form a barrier to hydrophobic surfaces approaching one another. The hydroxyl moieties at the ends of the molecule are the only groups capable of serving as hydrogen bond donors. There are no charged groups. This extremely limited repertoire of binding capabilities probably explains the inability of the molecule to activate host mediator and inflammatory mechanisms. The POE chains are not necessarily inert, however. Polyoxyethylene can bind cations by ion-dipole interactions with oxygen groups. The crown polyethers and reverse octablock copolymer ionophores are examples of such cation binding (See Atkinson, TP, et al., Ion transport mediated by copolymers composed of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene. Am J Physiol 254;C20, 1988). It is possible that the flexible POE chains form configurations which bind and modulate calcium and other cation movements in the vicinity of damaged membranes or other hydrophobic structures. The hydrophobic component of the surface active copolymer is large, weak and flexible. The energy with which it binds to a cell membrane or protein molecule is less than the energy which holds the membrane phospholipids together or maintains the tertiary conformation of the protein. Consequently, unlike common detergents which dissolve membrane lipids and proteins, the surface active copolymer adheres to damaged spots on membranes and prevents propagation of the injury. The ability of the surface active copolymer to block adhesion of fibrinogen to hydrophobic surfaces and the subsequent adhesion of platelets and -red blood cells is readily demonstrated in vitro. Most surfactants prevent adhesion of hydrophobic particles to one another, however, the surface active copolymer has a unique balance of properties which optimize the anti-adhesive activity while minimizing toxicity. Thus, the surface active copolymer is not routinely used by biochemists who use nonionic surfactants to lyse cells or dissolve membrane proteins. The surface active copolymer protects cells from lysis. The hydrophobe effectively competes with damaged cells and molecules to prevent pathologic hydrophobic interactions, but cannot disrupt the much stronger normal hydrophobic interactions which maintain structural integrity. The viscosity of blood is generally assumed to be the dominant determinant of flow through vessels with a constant pressure and geometry. In the smallest vessels, however, those in damaged tissue, other factors become significant. When the diameter of the vessel is less than that of the cell, the blood cell must deform in order to enter the vessel and then must slide along the vessel wall producing friction. The deformability of blood cells entering small vessels has been extensively studied (See: Brooks DE and Evans EA Rheology of blood cells, in Clinical Hemorheology. Applications in Cardiovascular and Hematological Disease, Diabetes, Surgery and Gynecology. S Chien, J Dormandy, E Ernst, and A Matrai, eds, Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, Dordrecht, 1987), but the adhesive or frictional component has not. The adhesion of cells to vessel walls is generally attributed to specific interactions with von Willebrand's factor and other specific adhesive molecules (See: Thompson AR and Harker LA Manual of Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Edition 3, F A Davis Company, Philadelphia, 1983). Our data suggests that in pathologic situations, friction resulting from nonspecific physicochemical adhesion between the cell and the vessel wall becomes a major determinant of flow. Mathematically, both the strength of adhesion between two particles and the friction force which resists sliding of one along the other are direct functions of their surface tensions which are largely determined by their degree of hydrophobic interaction. The friction of a cell sliding through a small vessel consists of an adhesion component and a deformation component (Lee LH Effect of surface energetics on polymer friction and wear, in Advances in Polymer Friction and Wear, Polymer Science and Technology, volume 5A. L.H Lee, editor, Plenum Press, New York, 1974) which are in practice difficult to separate: F = Fa + Fd where F is the friction of cells, Fa is the adhesion component and Fd is the deformation component The deformation component within a vessel differs from that required for entry into the vessel. It may be similar to that which occurs in larger vessels with blood flowing at a high rate of shear (Brooks and Evans, 1987). Friction within blood vessels has been studied very little, but undoubtedly involves the same principles which apply to polymer systems in which the friction force correlates directly with the work of adhesion (Lee, 1974): Fa = k WA + c where Fa is the adhesional component of the friction force, WA the work of adhesion, and k and c constants which pertain to the particular system studied. Many lubricants act as thin films which separate the two surfaces and reduce adhesion (See: Adamson, 1982). The effects of the surface active copolymer on microvascular blood flow were evaluated in several models ranging from artificial in vitro systems where critical variables could be rigidly controlled to in vivo systems mimicking human disease. First, the surface active copolymer can be an effective lubricant when used at therapeutic concentrations in a model designed to simulate movement of large cells through small vessels. It markedly reduced the adhesive component of friction, but had no detectable effect on the deformation component of friction. Second, the surface active copolymer greatly accelerates the flow through the narrow channels formed by the thrombogenic surfaces of glass and air. A drop of blood was placed on a cover slip and viewed under a microscope with cinemicroscopy during the time it took the blood to flow to the edges of the cover slip in response to gentle pressure. The surface active copolymer inhibited the adhesion of platelets to the glass and maintained the flexibility of red cells which enabled them to pass through the microscopic channels. While the surface active copolymer did not inhibit the formation of rouleaux by red cells, it did cause the rouleaux to be more flexible and more easily disrupted. Third, the surface active copolymer increases the flow of blood through tortuous capillary-sized fibrin-lined channels by over 20-fold (See Example V herein). It decreased viscosity of the blood by an amount (10%) far too small to account for the increased flow. In a more physiologic model, the surface active copolymer increased coronary blood flow by a similar amount in 20 isolated rat hearts perfused with human red blood cells at a 30% hematocrit following ischemic damage (See Example VI herein). In an in vivo model of stroke produced by ligature of the middle cerebral artery of rabbits, the surface active copolymer increases blood flow to ischemic brain tissue. As much as a two-fold increase was measured by a hydrogen washout technique. In each of these models, there were controls for hemodilution and there was no measurable effect on viscosity at any shear rate measured. It is believed that available data suggests that the surface active copolymer acts as a lubricant to increase blood flow through damaged tissues. It blocks adhesion of hydrophobic surfaces to one another and thereby reduces friction and increases flow. This hypothesis is strengthened by the observation that the surface active copolymer has little effect on blood flow in normal tissues where such frictional forces are small (See: Grover FL, Kahn RS, Heron MW, and Paton BC, A nonionic surfactant and blood viscosity. Arch Surg 106:307, 1973.) The surface active copolymers of the present invention are not metabolized by the body and are quickly eliminated from the blood. The half-life of the copolymer in the blood is believed to be approximately two hours. It is to be understood that the surface active copolymer is not covalently bound to any of the other components in a composition nor is it covalently bound to any proteins. The surface active copolymer can be administered with a free radical scavenger, an anticoagulant or it can be administered alone for treatment of certain circulatory conditions which either are caused by or cause pathological hydrophobic interactions of blood components. These conditions include, but not limited to, myocardial infarction, stroke, bowel or other tissue infarctions, malignancies, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), diabetes, unstable angina pectoris, hemolytic uremic syndrome, red cell fragmentation syndrome, heat stroke, retained fetus, eclampsia, malignant hypertension, burns, crush injuries, 21 fractures, trauma producing shock, major surgery, sepsis, bacterial, parasitic, viral and rickettsial infections which promote activation of the coagulation system, central nervous system trauma, and during and immediately after any major surgery. It is believed that treatment of the pathological hydrophobic interactions in the blood that occurs in these conditions significantly reduces microvascular and other complications that are commonly observed. The surface active copolymer of the present invention is also effective in increasing the collateral circulation to undamaged tissues with compromised blood supply. Such tissues are frequently adjacent to areas of vascular occlusion. The mechanism appears to be reducing pathological hydrophobic interactions in small blood vessels. Circulatory conditions where the surface active copolymers are effective include, but are not limited to, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral embolus, myocardial infarction, unstable angina pectoris, transient cerebral ischemic attacks, intermittent claudication of the legs, plastic and reconstructive surgery, balloon angioplasty, peripheral vascular surgery, orthopedic surgery, especially when using a tourniquet. In low therapeutic doses, the surface active copolymer has little effect on the viscosity of normal blood at shear rates ranging from 2.3 sec - 1 (low) to 90 sec - 1 (high). However, it markedly reduces the abnormally high viscosity found in postoperative patients and in those with certain pathologic conditions. This observation posed two questions: 1) what caused the elevated whole blood viscosity in these patients and, 2) by what mechanisms did the surface active copolymer, which has only minor effects on the blood viscosity of healthy persons, normalize pathologic elevations in viscosity? It is generally accepted that hematocrit and plasma fibrinogen levels are the major determinants of whole blood viscosity. This has been confirmed in normal individuals and in many patients with inflammatory conditions. However, these factors could not explain the changes that were observed. In patients having coronary artery cardiac bypass surgery, it was found found that hematocrit fell an average of 23±4% and fibrinogen fell 48±9% within six hours after surgery. The viscosity did not decrease as expected, but increased from a mean of 23±2 to 38±4 centipoise (at a shear rate of 2.3 sec - 1 ). Viscosities in excess of 100 were found in some patients. The abnormally high viscosity of blood was associated with circulating high molecular weight polymers of soluble fibrin (See: Papadea C and Hunter R Effect of RheothRx™ copolymer on blood viscosity related to fibrin(ogen) concentration. FASEB J 2:A384, 1988). The soluble fibrin levels rose from 19±5 μg/ml to 43±6 μg/ml during surgery. These studies utilized a colorimetric enzymatic assay for soluble fibrin (Wiman, B. and Ranby, M., Determination of soluble fibrin in plasma by a rapid and quantitative spectrophotometric assay. Thromb. Haemost 55:189, 1986) and Western blotting procedures with SDS agarose gels to determine the molecular weight of the large protein polymers (See: Connaghan DG, Francis CW, Lane DA, and Marder VJ Specific identification of fibrin polymers, fibrinogen degradation products, and crosslinked fibrin degradation products in plasma and serum with a new sensitive technique. Blood 65:589, 1985). In the absence of specific receptors, cells and molecules in the circulation adhere to one another if the adherence reduces the free energy or surface tension between them. An assessment of the surface tension of various components of the blood can be made by measuring contact angles. Red blood cells, lymphocytes, platelets, neutrophils all have contact angles in the range of 14 to 17 degrees. Peripheral blood proteins, such as albumin, α2macroglobulin, and Hageman factor have contact angles in the slightly lower range of 12-15. This means that these proteins have no adhesive energy for the cells. In contrast, fibrinogen has a contact angle of 24 degrees and soluble fibrin of 31. Consequently, fibrinogen adheres weakly to red blood cells and other cells in the circulation promoting rouleaux formation. Fibrin promotes a very much stronger adhesion than fibrinogen because its elevated contact 23 angle and its tendency to form polymers with fibrinogen. Soluble fibrin in the circulation produces the increased adhesion which results in a very markedly increased viscosity at low shear rates. This adhesion also involves the endothelial walls of the blood vessels. If the adhesive forces are insufficient to slow movement of cells, they produce an increased friction. This is especially important in the very small blood vessels and capillaries whose diameters are equal to or less than that of the circulating cells. The friction of cells sliding through these small vessels is significant. The surface active copolymer of the present invention blocks the adhesion of fibrinogen and fibrin to hydrophobic surfaces of cells and endothelial cells. This prevents their adhesion and lubricates them so there is a greatly reduced resistance to flow. This can be measured only partially by measurements of viscosity. Whether a certain fibrinogen level is sufficient to cause a problem in circulation is dependent upon several parameters of the individual patient. High hematocrits and high levels of fibrinogen are widely regarded as the primary contributors to increased viscosity. However, elevated fibrinogen levels are frequently associated with elevated soluble fibrin in the circulation. Careful studies have demonstrated that the fibrin is frequently responsible for the most severe changes. The normal level of fibrinogen is 200-400 μg/ml. It has been determined that, in most patients, fibrinogen levels of greater than approximately 800 μg/ml will cause the high blood viscosity at the low shear rates mentioned hereinabove. The normal level of soluble fibrin has been reported to be approximately 9.2 ± 1.9 (Wiman, B. and Ranby, M., Determination of soluble fibrin in plasma by a rapid and quantitative spectrophotometric assay. Thromb. Haemost 55:189, 1986). Using the Wiman and Ranby assay, viscosity at low shear rates was unacceptably high above about 15 μg/ml. It must be understood that soluble fibrin means molecular species that have a molecular weight of from about 600,000 to several million. Numerous methods have been used for demonstrating soluble fibrin. These include cryoprecipitation especially cryofibrinogen. Heparin has been used to augment the precipitate formation. Ethanol and protamine also precipitate fibrin from plasma. Modern techniques have demonstrated that the soluble fibrin in the circulation is generally complexed with solubilizing agents. These are most frequently fibrinogen or fibrin degradation products. Des AA fibrin in which only the fibrin of peptide A moieties have been cleaved, tends to form relatively small aggregates consisting of one molecule of fibrin with two of fibrinogen. If both the A and B peptides have been cleaved to produce des AABB fibrin, then much larger aggregates are produced in the circulation. Fibrin degradation products can polymerize with fibrin to produce varying size aggregates depending upon the particular product involved. Soluble fibrin in the circulation can markedly increase blood viscosity, especially at low shear rates. However, the relevance of this for clinical situations remains unclear. Viscosity assesses primarily the aggregation of red blood cells which is only one of many factors which determine in vivo circulation. Other factors affected by soluble fibrin are the endothelial cells, white blood cells and platelets. Soluble fibrin is chemotactic for endothelial cells, adheres to them avidly and causes their disorganization. It also has stimulatory effects for white blood cells especially macrophages. Some of the effects of soluble fibrin may be mediated by specific receptors on various types of cells. However, since the free energy, as measured by contact angles of soluble fibrin, is less than that of any other plasma protein, it adheres avidly by a nonspecific hydrophobic interactions to virtually all formed elements in the blood. Circulating soluble fibrin is normally cleared by macrophages and fibrinolytic mechanisms without producing damage. However, if the production of soluble fibrin is too great or if the clearance mechanisms have been compromised or if complicating disease factors are present, then soluble fibrin can induce deleterious reactions. Soluble fibrin is produced in damaged or inflamed tissues. Consequently, its effects are most pronounced in these tissues where it coats endothelial cells and circulating blood cells in a fashion which markedly reduces perfusion. The largest effects are in the small blood vessels where soluble fibrin coating the endothelial cells and white blood cells produces a severe increase in friction to the movement of white cells through the small vessels. Friction appears to be a much more severe problem with white blood cells and red blood cells because they are larger and much more rigid. If production of soluble fibrin is sufficient, then effects are noticed in other areas. The best studied is the adult respiratory distress syndrome where soluble fibrin produced in areas of damaged tissue produces microthrombi and other processes in the lungs which can cause pulmonary failure. However, lesser degrees of vascular compromise can be demonstrated in many other organs. Soluble fibrin, either alone or in complex with fibrinogen and other materials is now recognized as being a major contributor to the pathogenesis of a diverse range of vascular diseases ranging from coronary thrombosis through trauma, burns, reperfusion injury following transplantation or any other condition where there has been localized or generalized activation of coagulation. A recent study demonstrated that virtually all patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris have markedly elevated levels of soluble fibrin in their circulation. An example of the effects of soluble fibrin has been shown in the studies using dogs. A normal dog is subjected to a hysterectomy. Then, while the animal is still under anesthesia, the external jugular vein is carefully dissected. Alternatively, the vein may be occluded by gentle pressure with the fingers for seven minutes. It is examined by scanning electron microscopy for adhesion of fibrin, red blood cells and other formed elements. One finds that very few cells adhere to the endothelia of veins from dogs which had not undergone hysterectomy, whether or not there had been stasis produced by seven minutes occlusion. Similarly, there was only a small increase in adhesion of red blood cells to the endothelium of the jugular vein in animals who had undergone hysterectomy. If, however, the animals had a hysterectomy in addition to mild seven minute occlusion of the veins, then there was a striking increase in adhesion of formed elements of blood to the endothelial surfaces in some cases producing frank mural thrombi. Both red blood cells and fibrin were visibly adherent to the endothelial surfaces. In addition, there was disruption of the normal endothelial architecture. All of the animals had elevated levels of soluble fibrin after the surgery. This model demonstrates the effects of soluble fibrin produced by relatively localized surgery to produce a greatly increased risk of deep vein thrombosis at a distant site. The surface active copolymer of the present invention addresses the problems of fibrin and fibrinogen in the blood by inhibiting the adhesion of fibrin, fibrinogen, platelets, red blood cells and other detectable elements of the blood stream. It blocks the formation of a thrombus on a surface. The surface active copolymer of the present invention has no effect on the viscosity of water or plasma. However, it markedly increases the rate of flow of water and plasma in small segments through tubes. The presence of air interfaces at the end of the columns or air bubbles which provide a significant surface tension produce a friction along the walls of the tubes. The surface active copolymer of the present invention reduces this surface tension and the friction and improves flow. This is an example whereby the surface active copolymer of the present invention improves flow of fluid through tissues through a tube even though it has no effect on the viscosity of the fluid as usually measured. The surface active copolymer of the present invention has only a small effect on the viscosity of whole blood from normal individuals. It has little effect on the increase that occurs with higji hematocrit at high shear rates. However; it has an effect on the very large increase in viscosity at low shear rates thought to be caused by soluble fibrin and fibrinogen polymers. Recent studies demonstrate that the surface active copolymer also has the ability to protect myocardial and other cells from a variety of noxious insults. During prolonged ischemia, myocardial cells undergo "irreversible injury." Cells which sustain irreversible injury are morphologically intact but are unable to survive when returned to a normal environment. Within minutes of reperfusion with oxygenated blood, cells containing such occult lesions develop swelling and contraction bands and die. Irreversibly injured myocardial cells have mechanical and osmotic fragility and latent activation of lipases, proteases and other enzymes. Reperfusion initiates a series of events including calcium loading, cell swelling, mechanical membrane rupture and the formation of oxygen free radicals which rapidly destroy the cell. The surface active copolymer retards such injury in the isolated perfused rat heart model. The mechanisms probably include osmotic stabilization and increased mechanical resistance in a fashion similar to that known for red blood cells. The protective effects ■ of the surface active copolymer on the myocardium are not limited to the myocardial cells. It also protects the endothelial cells of the microvasculature as assessed morphologically. By maintaining the integrity of such cells and helping to restore and maintain non-adhesive surfaces, the surface active copolymer tends to reduce the adhesion of macromolecules and cells in the microvasculature, to reduce coronary vascular resistance and to retard development of the no reflow phenomenon. In organs that have been removed from a donor for transplantation, the tissue is damaged due to ischemia and lack of blood. Preferably, the surface active copolymer is mixed with a perfusion medium. The perfusion media that can be used with the surface active copolymer are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The perfusion media can also be whole blood or plasma. The- solution can be perfused through the organ thereby reducing the damage to the tissue. Because the tissue damage is reduced by perfusing the organ with the surface active copolymer solution, the time the organ is viable and therefore the time the organ can be transplanted is increased. Because the surface active copolymer improves flow of blood through diseased or damaged tissue with minimal effect on blood flow in normal tissue, it is contemplated that the present invention includes a method for delivering drugs to damaged tissue comprising the step of administering to the animal or human a solution containing: an effective amount of a drug; and an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C 3 H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. Any drug that has an activity in diseased or damaged tissue is suitable for this embodiment of the present invention. These drugs include 1. Antimicrobial drugs antibiotics antifungal drugs antiviral drugs antiparasitic drugs 2. antifungal drugs; 3. chemotherapeutic drugs for treating cancers and certain infections; 4. free radical scavenger drugs including those drugs that prevent the production of free radicals; 5. perfusion media; 6. antiinflammatories, including but not limited to both steroids and nonsteriod antiinflammatory drugs 7. membrane stabilizers such as dilantin; 8. anticoagulants; 9. ionotropic drugs such as calcium channel blockers; 10. autonomic nervous system modulators; Solutions which may be employed in practicing the present invention include, but are not limited to, saline (a solution of sodium chloride, containing approximately 8.5 to 9.5 grams of sodium chloride in 1000 cc of purified water), Ringer's solution, lactated Ringer's solution, Krebs-Ringer's solution, and various sugar solutions. All of these solutions are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Other isotonic solutions can be used to prepare a solution of the surface active copolymer. However, it is to be understood that the present invention may be administered as a solution that is not isotonic. The surface active copolymer can be administered in a non-aqueous solution. The method for treating pathologic hydrophobic interactions of the present invention includes administering the solution of surface active copolymer by intravenous injection. However, it is to be understood that the solution of surface active copolymer can be administered by intramuscular, subcutaneous parenteral or any other route of injection. It is contemplated as part of the present invention that the surface active copolymer could be administered orally either with an agent that promotes absorption of the copolymer by the gastrointestinal tract or by the surface active copolymer itself. In addition, the surface active copolymer can be administered transdermally. The final concentration of surface active copolymer in blood or other biologic fluids used to practice the present invention is generally between approximately 0.01 and 10 mg/ml. The preferred concentration of surface active copolymer used to practice the present invention is between approximately 0.1 and 2 mg/ml with the most preferred concentration between approximately 0.4 and 0.8 mg/ml of fluid. The present invention also encompasses the combination of an effective amount of surface active copolymer and an effective amount of free radical scavenger including, but not limited to, superoxide dismutase (SOD), mannitol, or mercaptopropionyl glycine or a combination of two or more of the compounds. The combination of the two substances has been shown to increase the flow of blood through ischemic tissue. In particular, the combination of surface active copolymer and SOD or mannitol has been shown to increase tissue survival after occlusion of blood flow to the tissue (See Example III and IV herein) Solutions which may be employed in the preparation of the present invention include, but are not limited to, saline (a solution of sodium chloride, containing approximately 8.5 to 9.5 grams of sodium chloride in 1000 cc of purified water), Ringer's solution, lactated Ringer's solution, Krebs-Ringer's solution, and various sugar solutions. All of these solutions are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present invention may be administered as a solution that is not isotonic. The present invention includes use of the surface active copolymer with an effective amount of anticoagulant to facilitate blood flow through ischemic tissue. Anticoagulants that can be used with the present invention include, but are not limited to, heparin, low molecular weight heparin, coumarin derivatives, and warfarin. It is to be understood that the surface active copolymer of the present invention could be used with any one anticoagulant or with a combination of anticoagulants. It is also understood that the concentration of anticoagulant to be used with the surface active copolymer is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. It has been found that administration of the surface active copolymer with anticoagulants increases blood flow through the ischemic tissue in a synergistic manner (See Example II herein). The surface active copolymer is preferably an ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation product with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 3 6 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably from 1750 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes from about 50% to 90% by weight of the compound. These copolymers are sold under the general trademark of Pluronic® polyols and are available from the BASF Corporation (Parsippany, NJ). The preferred formula of the present invention is sold under the trademark RheothRx® copolymer and is available from CytRx ® Corporation (Norcross, Georgia). The present invention also includes a method for preventing blockage in catheters comprising adding an effective amount of a surface active copolymer to the fluid being delivered through the catheter, said surface active copolymer comprising the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 90% by weight of the compound. It is contemplated that the surface active copolymer can be used to maintain the catheter over long periods of time. The method of the present invention can be used to maintain the patency of catheters and dialysis materials in hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, intravascular catheters, bladder catheters and central nervous catheters. The preferred concentration of the surface active copolymer of the present invention for use in maintaining catheters and the like is between approximately 0.01 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml with a preferred concentration of between 0.1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. The method of the present invention blocks adhesion of proteins to catheters that are implanted intraperitoneally, intrapleurally or in any body cavity thereby reducing the potential for infection. The present invention also provides a composition and method for storing concentrated platelet suspensions in a bag or other container. The present invention allows the platelet suspension to be stored either at room temperature or at refrigerator temperatures for longer periods of time than possible with prior art methods while still maintaining the platelets in a state where they are useful for transfusion into a patient. This state includes retention of platelet function and morphology. Platelets suspensions treated according to the present invention can be stored in conventional plastic bags normally used to store platelets. Experiments with human platelet show that these platelet suspensions treated according to the present invention do not aggregate spontaneously as much as untreated platelets. Treated platelets retain their ability to aggregate in response to various stimuli such as adenosine diphosphate (ADP), thrombin, collagen, and epinephrine for a much longer time than untreated platelets. The method of storing platelets according to the present invention includes adding an effective amount of a surface active copolymer to a suspension of platelets and mixing briefly to disperse the copolymer throughout the platelet suspension. Alternatively, the copolymer can be added to the platelet container before adding the platelet suspension. In this way, the containers can be supplied to the blood bank or other location where blood is processed and the platelet suspension can be added to the container with the copolymer. The container with the platelet suspension therein can then be stored until the platelets are to be used. Prior art methods of storing platelet suspensions have been largely unsatisfactory. Platelet function, as measured by the ability of platelets to respond to aggregation stimuli, in platelet suspensions stored at room temperature is rapidly lost. When platelets are stored according to the present invention, platelets can be stored for longer period of time and retain platelet function. The preferred concentration of the surface active copolymer of the present invention for use in preserving platelets is between approximately 0.01 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml with a preferred concentration of between 0.1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. Another embodiment of the present invention is an improved plasma extender composition and method of use. The 33 improved plasma extender of the present invention comprises a conventional plasma extender and an effective amount of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO( v C 2 H 4 O) V (C 3 H 6 O) V (C 2 H 4 O) 'b H wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C 3 H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably from 1200 to 3500, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes from about 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. The plasma extenders that can be used with the present invention include, but are not limited to, various dextran solutions, hydroxyethyl starch, and albumin and both natural and fixed or stabilized hemoglobin. The preferred concentration of the surface active copolymer of the present invention for use with plasma extenders is between approximately 0.01 mg/ml and 10 mg/ml with a preferred concentration of between 0.1 mg/ml and 2 mg/ml. The most preferred concentration of the surface active copolymer is approximately 0.6 mg/ml. The concentration of surface active copolymer contemplated in the present invention can vary depending on the total volume of solution needed in the particular circumstances. The total amount of block copolymer employed in the present invention will also vary depending on the size and type of thrombus or embolus, the particular copolymer employed, the particular proteolytic enzyme employed, and the size and weight of the patient. The copolymer can be used over a wide range of concentrations with no severe adverse side effects. It is believed that the copolymer is rapidly excreted intact; as much as 90% of the copolymer administered is excreted within three hours. Because of its low toxicity and the rapid clearance from the body, the copolymer can be administered over a long period of time. The surface active copolymer of the present invention may be employed by admixing with blood in any standard manner. Preferably, however, the solutions are intravenously injected into the blood stream either as a bolus, slow drip or a combination of both. The solutions are generally admixed with the blood in a manner so as to maintain a substantially steady venous pressure. The surface active copolymer blocks are formed by condensation of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide at elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of a basic catalyst. There is some statistical variation in the number of monomer units which combine to form a polymer chain in each copolymer. The molecular weights given are approximations of the average weight of copolymer molecule in each preparation. It is to be understood that the blocks of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide do not have to be pure. Small amounts of other materials can be admixed so long as the overall physical chemical properties are not substantially changed. A more detailed discussion of the preparation of these products is found in U.S. Patent No. 2,674,619 which is incorporated herein by reference. Illustrative ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensation products which may be employed in the preparation of the fibrinolytic composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, the following copolymers: 1. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 4700 containing approximately 80% by weight ethylene oxide. 2. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 3400 containing approximately 50% by weight ethylene oxide. 3. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 7700 containing approximately 70% by weight ethylene oxide. 4. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 14,600 containing approximately 80% by weight ethylene oxide. 5. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 12,600 containing approximately 70% by weight ethylene oxide. 6. A polyol with an average molecular weight of 9500 containing approximately 90% by weight ethylene oxide. The preferred ethylene oxide-propylene oxide copolymer for use in the fibrinolytic composition of the present invention is a copolymer having the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is approximately 8400. This invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or the scope of the appended claims. Example I The fibrinolytic composition is tested in an ex vivo rat heart model. The detailed design of the system is described elsewhere. (See Paulson, et al., Basic Res.Cardiol., Vol. 81, pp. 180-187, 1986). This model measures the ability of the isolated heart to recover from a 30 to 90 minute ischemic period where the flow of nutrients is reduced to 10 percent of normal or completely stopped, then followed by a 10 minute period of reperfusion. Three parameters measured: (1) cardiac output (CO); (2) left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP); and (3) left ventricular contraction (dp/dt). Assessment of heart recovery and amount of damage are discussed in Paulson, D. J. et al. Basic Res. Cardiol, Vol. 79, pp. 551-561, 1984. In this experiment, hearts are perfused with washed whole human blood with no heparin added. Flow is completely stopped for 30 minutes, followed by 10 minutes reperfusion with washed whole human blood without heparin but with the additive or additives indicated in Table B. The copolymer that is used in this example has the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is approximately 8400. The copolymer is prepared as a stock solution of 1 % copolymer by weight in normal saline. The results of the test are as follows. The final concentration of the surface active copolymer used in this Example is 0.68 mg/ml. The results are shown in Table B. TABLE A Percent Cardiac Recovery (Values are mean) . e na concentra on o copo ymer s approx mate y . mg/m . 2. The amount of SOD is 3000 units/heart. ND = Not done The combination of SOD and the surface active copolymer protected the heart muscle from the effects of blood deprivation better than the copolymer alone when using cardiac output as a measure of heart muscle viability. In addition, coronary artery resistance showed marked improvement with the surface active copolymer present in the perfusion medium. Example II The effect of the surface active copolymer and an anticoagulant in tissue following ischemic damage is demonstrated in this example. The composition comprising the surface active copolymer and an anticoagulant, such as heparin, shows synergistic results. Reconstitute 1000 units of heparin (Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, MO) in 200 ml of normal (0.9%) sodium chloride solution and add 1.36g of the copolymer of the present invention and resuspend washed whole human blood to formulate the perfusion medium. The copolymer has the following general formulation: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. Hearts excised from anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats were perfused for 10 minutes with (a) blood and heparin or with (b) blood, heparin and copolymer following a 90 minute low-flow ischemia. Cardiac output (CO), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular contraction (dp/dt) were determined and are expressed as percent of recovery as compared to normal hearts. Ischemic animals' hearts which received blood with heparin showed poor recovery: 12% CO, 44% LVSP and 34% dp/dt. Hearts given blood, heparin and copolymer showed excellent recovery: 90% CO, 92% LVSP, and 84% dp/dt. For the heparin with Copolymer group, all three parameters were statistically different (p<0.01) as compared to the ischemic control group (heparin only). Differences between independent means were determined by the Student's t test. This example also illustrates the ability of the copolymer to improve flow through damaged tissue by virtue of its lubricating properties under conditions where there is not thrombus or embolus formation. Example III A test is performed to demonstrate the ability of the combination of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and an appropriate copolymer to produce greater protection of ischemic myocardium from reperfusion injury associated with oxygen radicals and other factors than SOD alone. Under general anesthesia (sodium thiopental 25 mg/kg), the dogs are intubated and ventilated with 70% oxygen at a rate of 12 breaths per minute. A satisfactory level of anesthesia is maintained with intermittent boluses of pentothal as required. After skin preparation, a left anterior thoracotomy is performed, the pericardium incised and the heart exposed. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery is identified, isolated and encircled with a snare 1 cm from its origin. Temporary LAD occlusion is accomplished by tightening the snare and continues for 90 minutes. During the procedure, the heart rate and blood pressure are monitored utilizing a Hewlett-Packard 7758B 8- channel recorder. Arterial blood pressure is monitored through an 18 gauge indwelling catheter in the right femoral artery and measured with a Hewlett-Packard quartz transducer. Electrocardiographic evidence for anteroseptal myocardial ischemia is also monitored. Reperfusion of the ligated vessel after 90 minutes of ischemia is achieved by a gradual release of the snare to prevent the hyperemic response. A defibrillator is available in the room as are all necessary cardiotonic drugs in the event of cardiac fibrillation or circulatory collapse due to the LAD ligation. Therapeutic agents are infused in conjunction with reperfusion as follows: bovine superoxide dismutase with approximately 3000 units of activity per milligram assayed by the method of McCord, . Biol. Chem., Vol. 244, p. 6049 (1969) is obtained from Sigma Chemical Company, St. Louis, MO. It is dissolved in 100 ml of normal saline and infused intravenously over 90 minutes starting 15 minutes before restoration of perfusion. This simulates the effects which occur during lysis of a coronary thrombus. A solution of copolymer is prepared at 2% weight volume in saline. It is given intravenously as a bolus over 2 minutes in a dose sufficient to achieve a blood level of 0.6 mg/ml followed by a constant infusion of approximately 25 mg/kg/hour in order to maintain the blood level of approximately 0.6 mg/ml for the remainder of the experiment. The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface active copolymer has the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. The synergistic effect of the combination is demonstrated by comparing the results of dogs treated with both the copolymer and SOD with those treated with either material alone or no treatment. Agents are infused intravenously utilizing an IV AC 560 infusion pump. Infusion begins 15 minutes prior to release of the snare and continues until the total dose for each group has been administered. The chest is closed in layers. A chest tube is utilized to evacuate the pneumothorax and is removed when spontaneous respirations resume. I.V. fluids are given (Lactated Ringer's Solution) to compensate for the 24 hour NPO period preceding the operation, in addition to a 3 to 1 ratio to compensate for blood loss. The animals are then maintained and followed closely for the next 24 hours. Each animal is then returned to the operating suite and under general anesthesia the previous incision is reopened. The animal is sacrificed utilizing a barbiturate overdose. The heart and proximal 4 cm of ascending aorta is excised being sure to include the origins of the coronary arteries. All groups are subjected to the same procedures for identification of the area of the myocardium at risk for infarction and the area actually infarcted. This technique involves perfusion of the LAD with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), which stains the intact myocardium red and leaves the infarcted myocardium unstained. The limits of the area of myocardium at risk are determined by perfusing the remainder of the coronary system, via the aortic root, with Evans Blue dye. The area at risk is defined by a lack of Evans Blue stain. The combination of the surface active copolymer and superoxide dismutase is synergistic in protecting myocardial tissue. The amount of tissue damaged after the ischemic period was significantly less than with surface active copolymer or mannitol alone. In addition, the composition inhibited neutrophil migration into the ischemic tissue, especially into the eschemic area where the tissue is jepardized but is still recoverable. Example IV A test is performed to demonstrate the ability of the combination of mannitol and an appropriate surface active copolymer to produce greater protection of ischemic myocardium from reperfusion injury associated with oxygen radicals and other factors than mannitol alone. Under general anesthesia (sodium thiopental 25 mg/kg), the dogs are intubated and ventilated with 70% oxygen at a rate of 12 breaths per minute. A satisfactory level of anesthesia is maintained with intermittent boluses of pentothal as required. After skin preparation, a left anterior thoracotomy is performed, the pericardium incised and the heart exposed. The left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery is identified, isolated and encircled with a snare 1 cm from its origin. Temporary LAD occlusion is accomplished by tightening the snare and continues for 90 minutes. During the procedure, the heart rate and blood pressure are monitored utilizing a Hewlett-Packard 7758B 8- channel recorder. Arterial blood pressure is monitored through an 18 gauge indwelling catheter in the right femoral artery and measured with a Hewlett-Packard quartz transducer. Electrocardiographic evidence for anteroseptal myocardial ischemia is also monitored. Reperfusion of the ligated vessel after 90 minutes of ischemia is achieved by a gradual release of the snare to prevent the hyperemic response. A defibrillator is available in the room as are all necessary cardiotonic drugs in the event of cardiac fibrillation or circulatory collapse due to the LAD ligation. Therapeutic agents are infused in conjunction with reperfusion as follows: Two ml/kg of a mannitol solution (12.5 g/50ml of isotonic saline) (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, MO) is infused intravenously over 45 minutes starting 15 minutes before restoration of perfusion. This simulates the effects which occur during lysis of a coronary thrombus. A solution of copolymer is prepared at 2% weight/volume in saline. It is given intravenously as a bolus over 2 minutes in a dose sufficient to achieve a blood level of 0.6 mg/ml followed by a constant infusion of approximately 25 mg/kg/hour in order to maintain the blood level of approximately 0.6 mg/ml for the remainder of the experiment. The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface active copolymer has the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H v 2 4 V 3 6 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. The synergistic effect of the combination is demonstrated by comparing the results of dogs treated with both the copolymer and mannitol with those treated with either material alone or no treatment. Agents are infused intravenously utilizing an IV AC 560 infusion pump. Infusion begins 15 minutes prior to release of the snare and continues until the total dose for each group has been administered. The chest is closed in layers. A chest tube is utilized to evacuate the pneumothorax and is removed when spontaneous respirations resume. I.V. fluids are given (Lactated Ringer's Solution) to compensate for the 24 hour NPO period preceding the operation, in addition to a 3 to 1 ratio to compensate for blood loss. The animals are then maintained and followed closely for the next 24 hours. Each animal is then returned to the operating suite and under general anesthesia the previous incision is reopened. The animal is sacrificed utilizing a barbiturate overdose. The heart and proximal 4 cm of ascending aorta is excised being sure to include the origins of the coronary arteries. All groups are subjected to the same procedures for identification of the area of the myocardium at risk for infarction and the area actually infarcted. This technique involves perfusion of the LAD with 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC), which stains the intact myocardium red and leaves the infarcted myocardium unstained. The limits of the area of myocardium at risk are determined by perfusing the remainder of the coronary system, via the aortic root, with Evans Blue dye. The area at risk is defined by a lack of Evans Blue stain. The combination of the surface active copolymer and mannitol is synergistic in protecting myocardial tissue. The amount of tissue damaged after the ischemic period was significantly less than with surface active copolymer or mannitol alone. In addition, the composition inhibited neutrophil migration into the ischemic tissue, especially into the eschemic area where the tissue is jepardized but is still recoverable. At least partially as a result of the inhibition of neutrophil migration, the damage to the tissue is reduced. Example V Glass beads (500-750 microns in diameter) are packed into tuberculin syringes and coated with fibrinogen by allowing recalcified citrated human plasma to coagulate and cross-link for 60 minutes at 37° C. Heparinized human blood, diluted 1:3 with normal saline with or without 0.1% surface active copolymer is then added to the reservoir and allowed to pass through the column by gravity at a pressure of 5 cm of water. The volume of blood flowing through the column over 20 minutes is measured. The surface active copolymer used in this example has the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. The results of this Example are summarized in Figure 1. As can be seen in Figure 1, only approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mis of blood flowed through the in vitro clot in twenty minutes. However, when the surface active copolymer was added to the blood, the flow of blood through the clot was increased to approximately 4 mis. Example VI The surface active copolymer has a cytoprotective effect. This is shown in the following example. Isolated rat hearts are perfused with packed human red blood cells suspended in Krebs-Henseleit buffer at a hematocrit of 12%. The surface active copolymer used in this example has the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. After a period of stabilization, the lines are clamped to produce no flow ischemia for one-half hour. The lines are then reopened to facilitate reperfusion for 10 minutes after which time functional measurements are made and the hearts fixed for histologic examination. Control hearts reperfused with blood alone recover only 5% of normal function as measured by cardiac output. Histologically, they show widespread contraction bands indicative of myocardial necrosis. In addition, there is extensive sloughing of arteriolar endothelial cells. Hearts treated identically except that the surface active copolymer is added to the blood for the last 10 minutes of the experiment during reperfusion regain 40% of normal function, show much less evidence of contraction band necrosis and preservation of endothelial cells . Under a broad range of experimental conditions, the surface active copolymer can protect myocardial cells from necrosis associated with reperfusion following a degree of ischemic injury which cannot be tolerated by control hearts. The protective effect of the surface active copolymer is greatest when it is added early in the experiment and when conditions of low flow rather than no flow ischemia are used. Example VII Blood was collected using the two-syringe method from healthy volunteers with normal platelet counts and diluted 1:10 with 0.11M sodium citrate. Either the surface active copolymer or normal saline was then gently mixed with the blood, the surface active copolymer was used in final concentrations of 0.6 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml. Platelet-rich plasma was separated by centrifugation at 200 x G for twelve minutes. Platelet-poor plasma was separated by centrifugation at 600 x G for twenty minutes. The platelet-rich plasma was stored in polypropylene tubes and continuously agitated for specified periods of time. The surface active copolymer used in Examples XII through XVI has the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 ' b 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C 3 H 6 O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. Example VIII In vitro testing of aggregation utilizes an optical aggregometer (Bio-Data Model PAP-2A) and is based on the turbidometric method of Born. Platelet-rich plasma (0.45 ml) is warmed to 37°C while being agitated continuously with a small magnetic stir bar. Platelet-poor plasma (0.50 ml) is used to blank the platelet-rich plasma. Following the addition of an aggregating reagent (0.05 ml), platelets clump together, causing the turbidity of the platelet-rich plasma to decrease. The turbidity of the suspension is constantly measured by recording transmission of a light beam directed through it, and is recorded as a change in voltage on a chart recorder. The rate of aggregation is dependent on the number of platelets, temperature, concentration of aggregating reagents, calcium, and fibrinogen. Aggregating agents were used at the following standard concentrations unless otherwise indicated: ADP (Dade Cluster Reagent) 2xlO _5 M, Collagen (Dade Cluster Reagent) 200μg/ml; and, Ristocetin (Bio- Data Corp.) 1.2 mg/ml. Figure 3 illustrates the ability of the surface active copolymer, at both 0.6 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml , to preserve platelet function when using ADP at 2 x 10- 5 M as the agonist. While the percent maximum aggregation is decreased from the immediate analysis, the surface active copolymer platelets retained a substantial amount of activity. The saline control demonstrated either no or very little activity at the 24 and 72 hour assays. Example IX Figure 4 illustrates the preservation effect of the surface active copolymer over 24 and 72 hours when using collagen as an agonist. While decreased, platelets stored in the presence of the surface active copolymer still maintains substantial functional activity. The control platelets demonstrate no activity after this prolonged storage. Example X Table C shows the results of several experiments which test the functional ability of platelets at time of collection and, also, at 24 hours storage. The agonist used in this study is ADP at 2 x 10 _5 M. At 24 hours storage, the surface active copolymer at 0.6 mg/ml and 2.0 mg/ml consistently improves the function of the platelets when compared to the saline control. Example XI Platelet counts on the platelet-rich plasma samples are conducted in the Hematology Laboratory at Emory University Hospital. The mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet histograms are also analyzed. This laboratory employs a Coulter Stacker (Coulter Electronics, Hialeah, FL) in sample analysis. The platelet counts and MPVs remains unchanged in the samples incubated with the surface active copolymer, as shown in Table D below. The control sample lost a substantial number of platelets over the 24 hours. The Coulter Stacker is unable to determine a value for the MPV in the control sample. However, the platelet histogram shows a definite shift to the left, indicating a smaller value for the MPV. The platelet histograms for the the surface active copolymer samples are unchanged over this period of time. Table C Example XII Two 15 ml polypropylene centrifuge tubes (Becton Dickinson, Lincoln Park, NJ) are filled with approximately 5 ml of whole blood drawn from a healthy human volunteer. To one of the tubes is added the surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H v 2 4 V 3 6 2 4 b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. The final concentration of the surface active copolymer in the blood is approximately 0.67 mg/ml. The tubes are slowly inverted several times over a 5 minute period to be sure that the blood in both tubes is in contact with the sides of the tubes. The tubes are then allowed to stand upright. The blood in the tube without the surface active copolymer uniformly coated the sides of the tube. The tube with the surface active copolymer did not coat the sides of the tube. It is believed that the blood in the tube without the surface active copolymer coats the sides of the tube because of the adhesion of hydrophobic proteins, such as fibrinogen, to the hydrophobic sides of the tube. However, the blood with the surface active copolymer does not coat the sides of the tube. This is probably because the surface active copolymer blocks the hydrophobic interaction between the hydrophobic proteins present in the blood and the hydrophobic sides of the tube. Example XIII The surface active copolymer is effective in promoting blood flow in tissue damaged by heat wherein there are increased pathologic hydrophobic surfaces. The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface active copolymer used in this example has the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. In this example, the backs of 300g rats are shaved. The rats are anesthetized and then placed in a plastic frame wherein 36 square centimeter portion of the shaved back is exposed. The exposed tissue is then scalded with boiling water for 10 sec. This treatment causes a full thickness burn on the back. Animals are dryed with a clean towel and placed into individual cages. Within 30 minutes following the burn injury, control rats receive either 10 ml Ip saline or 1 ml IV isotonic saline. Rats that receive the surface active copolymer receive either 10 ml IP surface active copolymer (200 mg/kg in isotonic saline) or 1 ml IV surface active copolymer (50mg/kg in isotonic saline). After 24 hours, the control rats develop large blisters and have a blanched appearance. The copolymer treated rats show no blisters and the gross abnormalities demonstrated in the control rats are significantly less. This observation is made in both the IV and IP treated rats. The rats are biopsied 24 hours after the burn. The control rats show severe necrosis in the burn area. The copolymer treated rats show only partial thickness damage and show viable cells in the basal layer of hair follicles. In addition, there is significantly greater blood flow and less loss of fluid in the burned tissue from the copolymer treated rats. Although not wanting to be bound by the following theory, it is thought that reperfusion injury mediated by granulocyte adhesion-endothelial cell interaction which causes tissue damage was inhibited by blocking pathological hydrophobic interactions thereby preserving endothelial cells, preventing sludging of blood and preventing loss of fluid into tissue and/or other factors. Example XIV The ethylene oxide-propylene oxide surface active copolymer used in this example has the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein the molecular weight of the hydrophobe (C3H6O) is approximately 1750 and the total molecular weight of the compound is 8400. The surface active copolymer of the present invention has little effect on viscosity of normal blood. However, the surface active copolymer of the present invention does have an effect on blood from a patient undergoing trauma such as an operation. This is shown in the following experiment. Blood from patients about to undergo open heart surgery is collected and blood viscosity at various shear rates is measured both with and without the surface active copolymer present. The surface active copolymer is present in the blood at a concentration of about 0.6 mg/ml. Fig 5 shows the viscosity of the blood from preoperative patients with and without the surface active copolymer. The surface active copolymer has little effect on the viscosity of the blood at all shear rates tested when compared to blood without the copolymer. Fig. 6 shows the viscosity of blood from patients six hours after open heart surgery. As shown, blood from these patients with no copolymer showed a large increase in viscosity at low shear rates. When the copolymer is added to the blood at a concentration of about 0.6 mg/ml, the viscosity at low shear rates is reduced to normal levels. There was a significant increase in soluble fibrin levels in postoperative patients when compared to preoperative patients. Although not wanting to be bound by the following hypothesis, it is believed that the reduction in viscosity of blood at low shear rates is a result of the copolymer's ability to reduce pathologic hydrophobic interactions in the blood with the high 50 concentration of soluble fibrin. This allows blood to flow more efficiently through the microvasculature. It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates only to a preferred embodiment of the present invention and that numerous modifications or alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims: Claims 1. A method of protecting cells and tissue from ischemia in an animal or human comprising the step of administering to the animal or human an effective amount of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 2. A method for preserving a suspension of platelets comprising admixing with the suspension of platelets an effective amount of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H v 2 4 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 3. A method for preventing blockage in catheters comprising adding an effective amount of a surface active copolymer to the fluid being delivered through the catheter, said surface active copolymer comprising the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 4. An improved plasma extending composition comprising a plasma extender and an effective amount of surface active copolymer, said surface active copolymer having the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 53 5. A method of extending the plasma of a human or animal comprising administration to the animal or human of an effective of amount of a plasma extender and a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 6. A method of protecting damaged cells and tissue from reperfusion injury in an animal or human comprising the step of administering to the animal or human with damaged tissue an effective amount of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H v 2 4 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H 4 O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 7. A method of reducing tissue damage due to burns in an animal or human comprising the step of administering to the animal or human with the bum an effective of amount of a solution of a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 8. A composition for reducing tissue damage in an animal or human comprising an solution containing an admixture of an effective amount of an anticoagulant and a surface active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 ' b 3 6 a 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 9. A method for reducing tissue damage in an animal or human comprising the step of injecting into the animal or human a composition comprising an effective amount of an anticoagulant and an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer of the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably from 1750 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes from approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 10. A method for reducing tissue damage in an animal or human comprising the step of injecting into the animal or human a composition comprising an effective amount of an free radical scavenger and an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer of the following formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, preferably from 1750 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes from approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound. 11. A method of delivering a drug to damaged or diseased tissue in an animal or human comprising the step of administering to the animal or human a solution containing: an effective amount of a drug; and an effective amount of a surface-active copolymer with the following general formula: HO(C H O) (C H O) (C H O) H x 2 4 V 3 6 V 2 4 'b wherein a is an integer such that the hydrophobe represented by (C3H6O) has a molecular weight of approximately 950 to 4000, and b is an integer such that the hydrophile portion represented by (C2H4O) constitutes approximately 50% to 95% by weight of the compound.

Inventors: HUNTER ROBERT L, HUNTER, ROBERT, L.
Applicants: UNIV EMORY, EMORY UNIVERSITY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A61K31
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K38, A61K45, A61K47, A61P7