Suppression of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis by 6-hydroxyphthalaldehydic acid, O-(p-chlorobenzyl)oxime (EN3638)

EN3638 is a new oxime derivative of salicylic acid that has immunosuppressive properties. Oral administration of the compound to rats during the incubation period of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) delayed the onset of clinical signs. EN3638 was effective in both ordinary and hyperacute forms of EAE. Doses of 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg daily, 250 mg/kg three times a week, or 400 mg/kg twice a week suppressed both clinical and histologic evidence of EAE during the course of therapy (as long as 4 weeks) and for 8 or more days thereafter. Clinical EAE developed after a full incubation period after discontinuance of EN3638, probably due to the persisting depot of antigen in oil. When EAE was produced without an oily depot, a single dose suppressed the disease for at least 5 weeks in some rats. EN3638 was effective when given only in the second half of the incubation period but not when given at the time that EAE lesions and signs develop. Passive transfer experiments suggested that the drug prevented and even reversed sensitization to neural antigens. It had only slight effect on fully sensitized lymphoid cells or on the recruitment of nonimmune inflammatory cells in the nervous system, and it was not acting as a source of salicylate or as an adrenocortical stimulator.     

Studies on the mechanism of suppression of delayed hypersensitivity by the antischistosomal compund niridazole.

Niridazole given in a single oral dose of 100 mg/kg to guinea pigs sensitized to ortho-chlorobenzoyl chloride-bovine gamma-globulin (OCB-BGG) regularly abolished delayed cutaneous reactivity. Little effect was observed, however, when cells from these animals were tested in vitro with either direct or indirect assays for migration inhibitory factor (MIF). On the other hand, sera taken from nonsensitized guinea pigs after they had received 100 mg/kg of niridazole markedly diminished antigen-induced inhibition of migration of sensitized peritoneal exudate cells in vitro. The immunosuppressive effects of such sera could not be produced by niridazole itself, thereby suggesting an effect of niridazole metabolites. This suppressive activity was readily removed from the serum by dialysis. The active serum blocked the production of MIF by sensitized lymph node cells but did not affect the action of preformed MIF on macrophages. The effect of this serum was reversible; lymph node cells incubated for 24 hr with active serum, then washed and reincubated with antigen in normal serum, produced normal amounts of MIF. These studies suggest that metabolites of niridazole, but not the parent compound itslef, suppress delayed hypersensitivity in guinea pigs and prevent MIF production by lymphocytes without affecting the macrophage response to MIF.     

依达拉奉对大鼠实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎的保护作用

目的:研究依达拉奉对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎(Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis,EAE)的影响。方法:72只健康成年雌性Wistar大鼠随机分为:正常对照组、EAE组、EAE+小剂量依达拉奉组、EAE+大剂量依达拉奉组(n=18)。正常对照组注射生理盐水,其它组采用自制完全抗原诱导EAE模型。EAE组建模后不做任何处理,EAE+小剂量依达拉奉组、EAE+大剂量依达拉奉组分别在建模后给予依达拉奉4mg/k·d、10mg/k·d。比较各组发病率并行神经功能评分,取脊髓组织行HE染色、iNOS、OPN免疫组织化学染色观察。结果:依达拉奉干预组大鼠较EAE组发病率、神经功能缺损评分均明显降低(P<0.05)。HE结果显示依达拉奉干预组较EAE组炎症反应减少,损伤程度减轻。依达拉奉组iNOS、OPN表达均明显小于EAE组(P<0.05)。大剂量依达拉奉iNOS、OPN表达均低于小剂量依达拉奉组(P<0.05)。结论:依达拉奉对EAE具有保护作用,可能与抑制小神经胶质细胞活化,减轻炎症反应,降低iNOS和OPN表达有关。     

Identification and purification of immunosuppressive activity in the urine of rats and a human patient treated with niridazole.

Administration of the antischistosomal compound niridazole to mice, guinea pigs, and humans results in the suppression of several manifestations of cell-mediated immunity. Sera from animals treated with niridazole blocked the in vitro production of migration inhibitory factor (MIF) while niridazole itself was inactive, suggesting that these effects are caused by water soluble mediators. We now report that crude extracts prepared from the urine of rats and a patient receiving nirdazole, but not from pretreatment control urine, similarly suppress antigen-induced inhibition of migration of peritoneal exudate cells from sensitized guinea pigs. With immunosuppressive activity monitored by the direct MIF assay, combined solvent extraction and chromatographic techniques were used to fractionate immunosuppressive activity from the urine of niridazole-treated rats and the patient; the most active fractions, purified about 100-to 1000-fold as compared to methanol-water extracts of dried voided urine, inhibited MIF production at 0.1 to 0.01 ng/ml of assay mixture. These purified fractions also showed immunosuppressive activity by an in vivo assay wherein doses as low as 1 mug/kg injected intravenously (i.v.) into mice suppressed cell-mediated granuloma formation around Schistosoma manisoni eggs. Identically purified fractions prepared from urine of rats and the patient before they received niridazole showed no immunosuppressive activity either in the MIF or in the granuloma assay systems.     

Suppression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by dermatan sulfate

The effect of dermatan sulfate (DS) on the treatment of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was examined. DS, a sulfated glycosaminoglycan, has been reported to exhibit anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activities. DS treatment (50 mg/kg/day) facilitates recovery from the clinical manifestations of EAE. In this study, the fibrinolytic activity was higher in DS-treated rats than in saline-treated rats. Although the degree of perivascular mononuclear cell infiltration in the spinal cord was not suppressed in DS-treated rats compared to that in saline-treated rats, perivascular fibrin deposition was markedly suppressed in DS-treated rats. These findings suggest that DS would act as an effective therapeutic agent for EAE by preventing fibrin deposition.     

Inhibition of the mixed lymphocyte reaction by fractionated niridazole urine dialysate.

Urine dialysate from rats treated orally with 25 mg/Kg 3H-labeled niridazole was fractionated by DEAE-Sepharose column chromatography and was found to contain three radioactive metabolites and no parent compound. When human niridazole urine dialysate (NUD) was fractionated under identical conditions, fractions corresponding to the three rat NUD metabolites were found to inhibit the human one-way MLR. No inhibition was obtained with fractionated control urine dialysate. It was concluded that nonimmunosuppressive niridazole is metabolized by rats and man to produce three active compounds with the ability to suppress the in vitro response to alloantigens.     

Zinc aspartate suppresses T cell activation in vitro and relapsing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in SJL/J mice

Zinc is an essential trace element with a critical role in normal growth and development and in immune homeostasis. Zinc deficiency impairs both the innate and the adaptive immune system and can be normalized by zinc supplementation. On the other end of the spectrum, high dosages of zinc diminish immune cell functions similar to zinc deficiency. Here, we investigated the influence of zinc aspartate on proliferation and cytokine production of stimulated human T cells and mouse splenocytes in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of zinc aspartate was examined in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) with a Th1/Th17 T cell-mediated immunopathogenesis. Zinc aspartate suppressed proliferation as well as IL-2, IL-10 and IL-17 production in stimulated human T cells and mouse splenocytes. Importantly, administration of a medium range dose of 30 μg/day zinc aspartate [1.5 mg/kg body weight (BW)] in a therapeutic manner led to a significant reduction of the clinical severity of the EAE during the first relapse of the disease. A lower zinc aspartate dose (6 μg/day, 0.3 mg/kg BW) had no significant therapeutic effect on the severity of the EAE, while administration of higher zinc aspartate amounts (120 μg/day, 6 mg/kg BW) led to more severe disease. Taken together, our data suggest that zinc aspartate can modulate activation, proliferation and cytokine production of effector T cells in vitro and in vivo and that activated autoreactive T cells may be potential therapeutic targets of tightly controlled zinc supplementation in autoimmune diseases like MS.     

A CB2 Receptor Agonist Reduces the Production of Inflammatory Mediators and Improves Locomotor Activity in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Background:Cannabinoids (CBs) have been found to regulate the immune system, affect innate and adaptive immune responses, and reduce inflammatory reactions. This study assessed the therapeutic effects of GW-405833 synthetic CB2 agonist on inflammatory factors as well as locomotor activity in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Methods:In this experimental study, 48 adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly and equally assigned to eight groups. By injecting 250 mg of MOG35-55 peptide, EAE was induced. Every other day for 17 days after EAE onset, EAE-afflicted mice in groups 1–3 received an intraperitoneal injection of GW-405833 at a dose of 3, 10, and 30 mg/kg, respectively. Clinical status and locomotor activity, measured using the beam walking assay, were assessed every other day during the first 17 days after EAE onset. Mice were euthanized in day 17th of treatment and the serum levels of the IL-1β, IL-12, CRP, and TNF-α proinflammatory cytokines as well as IL-4 and TGF-β anti-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA method.Results:Clinical manifestations of EAE in groups 2 and 3 were significantly milder than group 4 and locomotor activity in groups 1–3 was significantly better than group 4 in days 5–17 (p< 0.05). GW-405833 also significantly decreased the levels of IL-12, TNF-α, and CRP and significantly increased the levels of IL-4 and TGF-β but had no significant effects on the level of IL-1β. GW-405833 was not associated with significant side effects.Conclusion:The CB2 receptor agonist GW-405833, improves clinical conditions and reduces inflammation in mice with EAE.Key Words: Clinical evaluation, Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, GW-405833, Locomotor activity, Multiple sclerosis, Proinflammatory cytokines     

依达拉奉对大鼠实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎的保护作用

目的：研究依达拉奉对实验性自身免疫性脑脊髓炎（Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis,EAE）的影响。方法：72只健康成年雌性Wistar大鼠随机分为：正常对照组、EAE组、EAE＋小剂量依达拉奉组、EAE＋大剂量依达拉奉组（n=18）。正常对照组注射生理盐水,其它组采用自制完全抗原诱导EAE模型。EAE组建模后不做任何处理,EAE＋小剂量依达拉奉组、EAE＋大剂量依达拉奉组分别在建模后给予依达拉奉4mg/k·d、10mg/k·d。比较各组发病率并行神经功能评分,取脊髓组织行HE染色、iNOS、OPN免疫组织化学染色观察。结果：依达拉奉干预组大鼠较EAE组发病率、神经功能缺损评分均明显降低（P〈0.05）。HE结果显示依达拉奉干预组较EAE组炎症反应减少,损伤程度减轻。依达拉奉组iNOS、OPN表达均明显小于EAE组（P〈0.05）。大剂量依达拉奉iNOS、OPN表达均低于小剂量依达拉奉组（P〈0.05）。结论：依达拉奉对EAE具有保护作用,可能与抑制小神经胶质细胞活化,减轻炎症反应,降低iNOS和OPN表达有关。     

Behavioral and electroencephalographic manifestations of thioacetamide-induced encephalopathy in rats

The aim of our study was to investigate the behavioral and electroencephalographic manifestations of thioacetamide-induced encephalopathy in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided among (i) control, saline-treated, and (ii) thioacetamide-treated groups (TAA(300) (300?mg/kg body mass); TAA(600) (600?mg/kg); and TAA(900) (900?mg/kg)). The daily dose of thioacetamide (300?mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once (TAA(300)), twice (TAA(600)), or 3 times (TAA(900)), on subsequent days. Behavioral manifestations were determined at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 24?h, while electroencephalographic changes were recorded 22-24?h after the last dose. General motor activity and exploratory behavior, as well as head shake, auditory startle reflex, placement, and equlibrium tests were diminished in the TAA(600) and TAA(900) groups compared with the control, and were absent in the TAA(900) group 24?h after treatment. Corneal, withdrawal, grasping, and righting reflexes were significantly diminished in the TAA(900) group compared with the control. Mean electroencephalographic power spectra density was significantly higher in TAA(300) and TAA(600) and lower in the TAA(900) group by comparison with the control. Only a score of 3 (mean dominant frequency?≤ 7.3?Hz and δ relative power?≥ 45%) was observed in the TAA(900) group. Thioacetamide induces encephalopathy in rats in a dose-dependent manner. A dose of 900?mg/kg TAA may be used as a suitable model of all stages of hepatic encephalopathy.     

Effect of cyclophosphamide on suppressor cell activity in mice unresponsive to EAE.

Protection against experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) was induced in susceptible mice of (SJL/J X BALB/c)F1 hybrid, by injection of either mouse spinal cord homogenate, the small mouse basic protein, or Cop 1 in incomplete Freund's adjuvant, before EAE induction. It was demonstrated that the unresponsiveness induced by the three antigens is mediated by suppressor T cells residing in the spleen cell population and can be adoptively transferred to normal syngeneic recipients. Low dose of cyclophosphamide (20 mg/kg) administered 2 days before the encephalitogenic challenge abrogated the unresponsiveness to EAE and reverted the protected mice sensitive to disease induction. Cyclophosphamide was also active on adoptively transferred unresponsiveness, thus donors that had been treated with cyclophosphamide were unable to further transfer unresponsiveness to EAE. These results indicate the elimination by cyclophosphamide of suppressor cells that interfere with the effector mechanisms leading to EAE.     

Role of the protein fraction of Bordetella pertussis in inducing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

B. pertussis protein fraction obtained by precipitation with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) stimulated the development of clinically and histologically pronounced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in guinea pigs when introduced together with a heterologous cerebral antigen, the two compounds forming an encephalitogenic mixture. The adjuvant activity of the TCA-precipitated fraction depended on its dose. The sera of the animals with EAE induced by the encephalitogenic mixture containing B. pertussis cells or TCA-precipitated fraction showed a cytopathogenic effect in the monolayer culture of newborn rat cerebellum cells. The cytopathogenic effect was more pronounced in the sera obtained at the period of the development of the clinical symptoms of the disease (days 14-18), while the cytotoxic effect of the sera obtained on day 30 after immunization decreased irrespective of the manifestations of EAE, this decrease being in correlation with the dose of the TCA-precipitated fraction in the encephalitogenic mixture.     

Prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and induction of tolerance with acute immunosuppression followed by syngeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an inducible autoimmune disease widely used as a model of the acute/relapsing stage of multiple sclerosis. In the present study we examined the effect of acute immunosuppression induced by total body irradiation (TBI) (900 to 1100 centigray (cGy)) or by a single high dose of cyclophosphamide (CY) (300 mg/kg), followed by syngeneic bone marrow transplantation (SBMT), on the development of EAE in SJL/J mice. EAE was induced in SJL/J mice by immunization with spinal cord homogenate in adjuvant. Treatment with TBI (900 cGy) and SBMT on day 6 postimmunization caused a delayed onset and a marked reduction in the incidence and severity of EAE. A higher dose of irradiation (1100 cGy) or the administration of CY followed by SBMT completely abrogated the development of paralysis. None of the 21 mice treated with CY and SBMT, and only 1 of 7 mice treated with TBI (1100 cGy) and SBMT developed clinical signs of EAE during a period of 3 months. Furthermore, mice treated with CY and SBMT became resistant to rechallenge with the same encephalitogenic inoculum. In addition, the lymphocytes obtained from these mice did not proliferate in vitro in response to myelin basic protein or tuberculin-purified protein derivative, unlike lymphocytes from immunized but untreated animals. This absence of reactivity was not associated with alterations in the proportion of the L3T4 and Lyt-2 T-cell subsets nor with a loss in T cell competence as evidenced by the full response of lymphocytes to the T cell mitogen Con A and to a nonrelevant Ag (OVA). Our results indicate that the elimination of effector lymphocytes either by myeloablative doses of CY or ionizing irradiation followed by rescue with SBMT inhibits the development of the autoimmune process in EAE and leads to induction of tolerance to the immunizing Ag by newly developing lymphocytes. This approach of combining immunoablation and reconstitution with autologous bone marrow transplantation may be applicable in the treatment of life-threatening neurologic autoimmune diseases.     

Further studies on a new bioassay of progestational activity (traumatic deciduoma formation in immature rats).

Six synthetic steroids were tested subcutaneously in a new bio-assay for short- and long-lasting progestational activity, using traumatic deciduoma production in immature female rats. As reference standard, a daily subcutaneous dose of 0.25 mg progesterone regularly induced a distinct deciduomagenic effect. A single dose of 12.5 mg of progesterone showed a prolonged activity. Medroxyprogesterone acetate showed a distinct deciduomagenic effect at the 0.05 mg daily s.c. dose level; a distinct prolonged effect was induced with a single s.c. injection of 0.5 mg. 16alpha-Aethylprogesterone induced regularly decidual reaction at the 0.1 mg s.c. dose level, it showed prolonged activity at the 0.25 mg dose level. The daily threshold dose for chlormadinone acetate was 0.25 mg; prolonged activity was shown with 2.5 mg. The daily threshold dose for duphaston is between 0.5 mg and 1.0 mg. A single s.c. dose of as much as 20.0 mg of 17alpha- hydroxyprogesterone caproate did not have a deciduomagenic effect.     

An in vivo evaluation of induction of abnormal sperm morphology by some anthelmintic drugs in mice

Using the murine sperm-head abnormality test, the mutagenicity of pyrantel pamoate, levamisole, albendazole, mebendazole and niridazole was evaluated. Pyrantel pamoate and niridazole induced increases in sperm-head abnormalities statistically significant over the negative controls at all the dose levels that were considered; the induction was dose-dependent indicating that both drugs might be mutagenic. Levamisole, albendazole, mebendazole and thiabendazole, all were unable to induce statistically significant increases in sperm-head abnormalities over the negative controls at all the dose levels tested; there was no correlation between dose level of administered drugs and incidence of abnormal sperms, indicating that the drugs might not be mutagenic.     

The influence of cyclosporin A on the development of actively induced and passively transferred experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

The immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) were tested on actively induced and passively transferred experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Actively induced EAE could be inhibited if CsA was administered per os at 25 mg/kg/day but not at 10 mg/kg/day. Passive transfer of clinical EAE occurred in all cell recipients including those fed CsA at either 25 or 50 mg/kg/day. Cyclosporin A could inhibit the development of transfer active cells in vitro and in vivo, however, inhibition of transfer active populations by CsA required the presence of CsA during the initial stage of cell response. If CsA was added to Con A-stimulated spleen cell cultures after a delay of 24 hr then these cells transferred clinical disease. Similarly, animals fed CsA concurrently with basic protein sensitization did not develop cell populations capable of transferring EAE. If CsA feeding commenced 2 or 4 days following sensitization all basic proteinsensitized animals still failed to develop EAE; however these latter groups of animals were a suitable source of cells capable of transferring some signs of clinical EAE.     

Failure of myelin basic protein to prevent or suppress experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in guinea pigs

The encephalitogenic myelin basic protein (BP) was reported to be effective in preventing and suppressing the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) when animals were treated before or after encephalitogenic challenge, respectively. In this report we show that pretreatment with 15 daily doses of 2.5 or 0.15 mg homologous BP (in IFA) failed to protect guinea pigs from subsequent challenge with encephalitogenic emulsion. Similarly, 15 daily injections of 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg guinea pig BP (in IFA) did not suppress development of or arrest ongoing EAE when the treatment was initiated on days 1, 4, 8, or 11 after an encephalitogenic challenge. The results show that over 50% of the treated animals developed hind leg paralysis (HLP), incontinence, or both, and the incidence of HLP was not altered significantly by a 10-fold increase in the amount of BP used for daily treatment. Further, all the treated and challenged animals developed histological lesions characteristic of disease. Treatment with BP delayed disease onset, prolonged the period of paralysis leading to recovery from HLP, and reduced both the prevelence of histological lesions as well as the incidence of death. It may be concluded that under these experimental conditions the administration of BP failed to protect from or suppress development of EAE.     

Gonadotropins and sex hormones modulate interrenal function in soft-shelled turtle

The aim of the current work was to investigate the role of gonadotropins and female sex hormones on interrenal activity in soft-shelled turtles, Lissemys punctata punctata. 1) FSH treatment (3 microg/100 g body wt daily for 10 days) caused interrenal hypertrophy with increased nuclear diameter, raises of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase concentrations, and depletions of cholesterol (except the free fraction) and ascorbic acid levels from the interrenal gland. However, LH treatment (3 microg/100 g body wt daily for 10 days) failed to produce any perceptible change in the interrenal activity. The combined treatments of FSH and LH (3 microg each/100 gm body wt daily for 10 days) produced no further change beyond that of FSH alone. 2) Estrogen treatment with the low dose (25 microg/100 g body wt daily for 10 days) had no effect, but with higher doses (50 microg or 100 microg/100 gm body wt daily for 10 days) is caused interrenal stimulation by inducing the same manifestations to those of FSH. The degree of manifestations was higher with the higher dose (100 microg daily) than that of the moderate dose (50 microg daily). Progesterone treatment with the low dose (25 microg /100 g body wt daily for 10 days) had no significant effect, but with the moderate (50 microg daily) and higher (100 microg daily) doses suppressed interrenal activity by showing the reverse changes to those of estrogen. The degree of manifestations was higher with the higher dose than that of the moderate one. The combined treatments of estrogen and progesterone (100 microg each/100 g body wt daily for 10 days) caused interrenal stimulation but to a lesser extent than that of estrogen alone. The findings are briefly discussed.     

Effect of nitrendipine on cardiac and renal lesions and arterial hypertrophy

A low dose of nitrendipine (1 mg/kg twice daily) ameliorated the percent incidence and severity of vascular lesions in the kidney and heart induced by deoxycorticosterone (DOC). Less protection was offered by administration of 1 mg/kg of the calcium antagonist once daily. A lower dose of the antagonist (0.5 mg/kg) administered twice daily produced almost no protection against myocardial scars, but the percent incidence and severity of renal tubular casts and glomerular changes were similar to those following injection of 1 mg/kg of the antagonist twice daily. DOC induced hypertrophy of the media in aorta, coronary artery and renal interlobular artery and renal arteriole. Neither 1 mg/kg once or twice daily nor 0.5 mg twice daily of calcium antagonist modified the hypertrophy of the arterial vasculature in the hypertensive DOC group. We conclude that a low dose of the calcium antagonist dissociates at least in part lesions but not hypertrophy from the increased systolic blood pressure, because the antagonist protects against vascular lesions induced by the hypertension. The antagonist likely acts on the endothelial cell of the vessels alone or combined with an effect on the vascular smooth muscle cells.     

A quantitative immunohistochemical comparison of actively versus adoptively induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat

A quantitative immunohistochemical comparison of actively and adoptively induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in the Lewis rat was performed. Since the methods of EAE induction of these two systems and the kinetics of disease appearance are different, while the histopathology, disease manifestations, duration, and severity are similar, this study sought to identify any differences which exist at the level of the target organ. The number of cells expressing the T helper (W3/25) or suppressor/cytotoxic (OX-8) phenotypes and the number of Ia-positive cells found in the spinal cord of animals given EAE by one of the two methods were compared at two time points at which maximal similarities should exist. The results show that during acute adoptively induced EAE the inflammatory infiltrate contains a larger number of T helper (TH) cells per unit area than in acute active EAE. With the resolution of clinical signs of EAE, the disappearance of cells from the spinal cord is more rapid in adoptive EAE. In contrast, the inflammatory infiltrate and Ia-positive parenchymal cells persist in active EAE following recovery. These results suggest that actively and adoptively induced EAE may differ with respect to the effector mechanisms and/or the mechanisms of recovery at the level of the target organ.