Modulation of the Th1/Th2 bias by an immunoglobulin histamine complex in the ovalbumin allergy mouse model.

Vaccination with the antiallergic drug Histaglobin is used to treat a broad range of human allergic diseases including bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. In order to further elucidate its functional activity, Histaglobin was investigated in an in vivo mouse allergy model. Mice were sensitized with ovalbumin either prior to or after Histaglobin treatment, and its antiallergic potential was evaluated. Ovalbumin-sensitized mice exhibited increased serum levels of IL-4, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and an increase of total and ovalbumin-specific IgE; total and ovalbumin-specific IgG levels were also elevated. Subsequent administration (therapeutic treatment) of Histaglobin resulted in a decrease of total and specific serum IgE levels; total and specific IgG1 serum levels were reduced by more than 50% and 45%, respectively; the mice displayed a down-regulation of IL-4 and TNF-alpha serum levels and showed increased levels of IFN-gamma and IgG2a. Mice pretreated with Histaglobin, prior to ovalbumin sensitization (prophylactic treatment), were found to be widely unresponsive to ovalbumin. They exhibited higher serum levels of IFN-gamma and IgG2a (total and specific) compared to saline-treated control mice. The inhibitory effects were still observed 1 month post-immunization. Our data, indicating a Histaglobin-induced modulation of the Th1/Th2 balance in favour of Th1, correspond with the well-known antiallergic activity of Histaglobin observed in patients.

[Pharmacokinetic study of a new benzyl-1 isoquinoline derivative (458 L) after oral administration in men]. / Etude pharmacocinétique d'un nouveau dérivé de la benzyl-1 isoquinoléine (458 L) après administration orale chez l'homme.

Pharmacokinetic study of 458 L. via oral route, was performed in twelve normal volunteers, in a randomized crossover design of three galenic forms. Plasma concentrations were determined, after extraction, by HPLC, with spectrofluorimetric detection. Plasmatic kinetics were fitted to a bi-exponential function with a distribution half-life of 1h and an elimination half-life of 11.5 to 14.7 h according to the form. Pharmacokinetic parameters evaluated as area under the curve (AUC), maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax), relative bioavailability (F'), have shown strong interindividual differences, specially in women group, and this with tobacco smoking.

[Reversal of the depressive power of cyclophosphamide on the anti-infectious defense of the mouse by means of a somatic antigen from Bacillus subtilis]. / Réversion du pouvoir dépresseur de la cyclophosphamide envers la défense anti-infectieuse de la Souris au moyen d'un antigène somatique de Bacillus subtilis

In the experimental conditions reported the cyclophosphamide increases the pathogenic effect of Escherichia coli in mice. Treating the animals with a somatic antigen of Bacillus subtilis, reverses the aggravating effect of cyclophosphamide on the experimental infection. Similar results are obtained through the parenteral and the rectal routes. This antigen does not limit either the leucopenient effect of cyclophosphamide nor its blocking effect on the synthesis of sheep red blood cells antibody in mice.

[The effect of somatic antigen from Bacillus subtilis on migration of mouse macrophages]. / Etude de l'action d'un antigène somatique de Bacillus subtilis sur la migration des macrophages de souris

The migration of mice peritoneal macrophages has been studied on agar plates. The migration of the macrophages from mice treated by the intra peritoneal route by a somatic antigen of Bacillus subtilis, was 37% less than the migration of the macrophage from control mice. The presence of the antigen in the gel did not modify the migration of macrophages in either treated or control mice. This confirms the non specific character of the activity of this antigen.

Studies on the immunostimulating and anti-tumour activity of a fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum.

The immunostimulating activity of the anaerobic corynebacteriae is well documented. Fractions isolated from while cells have not been much investigated. We have reported that the immunostimulating activity is present in fractions isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum. A few fractions have shown anti-tumour activity in grafted tumours in mice. One of these fractions (P 40) has been investigated in more detail, since it proved to be inhibitory when administered after grafting of the non-syngenic P 815 tumour in mice.

[Antagonistic effect of a fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum toward cyclophosphamide immunosuppression in mice]. / Effet antagoniste d'une fraction isolée de Corynebacterium granulosum envers le pouvoir immunosuppresseur de la cyclophosphamide chez la souris

A fraction isolated from Corynebacterium granulosum was shown to be capable of increasing significantly the antibody level in response to immunization of the Mouse with sheep red blood cells. The animals stimulated with this fraction become very resistant to the effect of cyclophosphamide. In contrast, the action of the fraction in previously immuno-suppressed animals is nil or very low.