[The effect of tactivin and the intraduodenal administration of drug mixtures on the efficacy of the therapy of duodenal peptic ulcer]

Incorporated into the complex of therapeutic measures to treat duodenal ulcer associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. p.) were tactivin and intraduodenal administration of drug mixtures made up of pharmaco- and phytopreparations. Effectiveness of treatment was to be evidenced by healing of the ulcer defect, elimination of H. p. from the mucous membrane, and length of clinico-endoscopic remission. The greatest benefit from treatment occurred when tactivin was used in combination with intraduodenal administration a mixture of rotocan, olazol, proposol, methiluracil, and trychopol.

In vivo effects of thymostimulin treatment on monocyte polarization, dendritic cell clustering and serum p15E-like trans-membrane factors in operable head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients have been characterized by impairments in their cell-mediated immune system, particularly by decreased chemotactic function of monocytes and impairments in the function of the monocyte-derived dendritic cells (viz, a decreased capability to form cell "clusters"). These impairments are thought to be due to immunosuppressive factors of low molecular mass released by tumor, the so-called p15E-like factors. These suppressive effects of p15-like factors can be neutralized in vitro by thymic peptides, such as thymostimulin (TP1). In a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial in the Netherlands, 41 patients with operable head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) were treated for 10 days prior to surgery with intramuscular TP1 in one of three dosages (0.5 mg/kg; 1.0 mg/kg or 2.0 mg/kg body weight) or treated with placebo. Assessment of monocyte chemotaxis, the capability of dendritic cells to form clusters and the presence of p15E-like low-molecular-mass factors (LMMFs) in serum was performed before TP1 treatment and on the day of surgery. Findings demonstrated that TP1 in a dose of 1.0 mg/kg and 2.0 mg/kg resulted in normalization of impaired monocyte chemotactic capability. Although the cluster capability of dendritic cells after TP1 treatment improved, values only reached statistical significance for the 0.5 mg/kg group. Serum p15E-like LMMF levels were not affected by TP1 treatment in any of the patient groups. Contrary to expectations we found no correlation between elevated immunosuppressive LMMFs and defective monocyte chemotaxis or cluster capability of dendritic cells. We conclude that treatment with TP1 can improve monocyte chemotaxis in HNSCC patients but an effect on the production of p15E-like factors by carcinoma cells could not be demonstrated.

[The role of thymic peptides in regulating ovarian morphogenesis]

Morphological analysis of the postnatal ovary development in mice treated with diverse T-activine doses during first 48 hours has shown that change of the thymic peptides content during neonatal period (single injection of the drug in doze 1,0-25,0 micrograms/l g body weight) results in negative ovariotropic effect, manifestations of which are doze-depending. In the case of administration of 5,0, 10,0, 25,0 micrograms/l kg of T-activine ovaritropic effect is limited with transitory disturbances of follicle genesis and therefore, with the delay of pubescence with the following (by the 10th month) reproductive function rehabilitation. After administration of T-activine 1 micrograms/l g in doze ovary dysgenesis with the regular reproductive disturbances was observed. Morphological and functional manifestations of the ovarian pathology in the case under discussion were similar with that of genetically non-thymus and neonatally thymus-ectomized animals, which, probably, may be considered to be the proof of the suggestion that thymic peptides dysbalanse on the early ontogenesis stages plays an important role in pathogenesis of the ovarian dysfunction in non-thymus animals.

[Intralymphatic drug therapy--a pathogenetically substantiated method of treatment in peritonitis]

The method of endolymphatic drug therapy (EDT) suggested by the authors has some advantages over the method of endoarterial therapy (which has proved to be effective in clinical practice) because it is aimed not only at control of the microbial flora, but also at correction of rheologic and microcirculatory disorders, improvement of the processes of tissue respiration and metabolism, stimulation of the intestine, prevention of the damaging effect of enzymes, toxins, and poisons on the organs and tissues of the body, and at correction of disorders of the immune status with promotion of the barrier function of the lymph nodes and the lymphatic system as a whole. EDT may be recommended for wide use in the clinic in the treatment of patients with peritonitis and other serious surgical infections unresponsive to the generally applied methods of management.

[Results of the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome with TFX (thymus factor X)]

Seven patients with Sjögren's syndrome (6 with primary and 1 with secondary form of the syndrome developing during SLE) were treated with TFX Polfa in ampoules of 10 mg during 6-12 month. Before the treatment, besides evaluation of the general clinical condition, the following immunological parameters were determined: IgG, IgA and IgM levels, absolute lymphocyte count, T-cell and B-cell counts, absolute neutrophil count, antinuclear antibodies, circulating immune complexes and skin tests with recall antigens (tuberculin and distreptase). The clinical condition of the patients was determined at monthly intervals and the immunological investigations were repeated after the treatment which lasted 6-12 months. In all patients alleviation was observed of the clinical manifestations of the disease with decreased proneness to infections. In some patients improvement was observed of the determined immunological parameters, in the first place, reversal of cutaneous tests from negative to positive.

[Effectiveness of correcting radiation injuries of the thymic endocrine function by T-activin in conditions of reduced postradiation hypercorticism reaction]

T-activin administered to rats after exposure to whole-body 1.5 Gy neutron- and 6 Gy X-radiation increases considerably the thymosin-like serum activity, accelerates cellularity restoration in the thymus and spleen, but does not influence the survival rate. Ionol administered prior to X-irradiation reduces the postirradiation hypercorticism reaction and the indirect effect of radiation on lymphoid organs which it is responsible for. The combined injection of ionol and T-activin increases the thymosin-like serum activity and spleen cellularity to the highest possible level and increases the survival rate of rats from 24 to 64 per cent and the lifespan up to 6 days.

[Use of vilozen and ketotifen combination for increasing the effectiveness and prevention of complications of antibiotic therapy of streptococcal infections]

The clinical efficacy of a vilozen and ketotifen (zaditen) combination in the treatment of streptococcal infections along with the routine therapy was studied. The use of the combination was shown advisable in the complex therapy and prevention of relapses in patients with streptococcal infections. The combined pharmacotherapy promoted better clinical indices, normalization of the immune status and a reduction in the incidence of allergic reactions to antibiotics and a decrease in sensitization to bacterial allergens.

[Controlled trial of thymostimulin treatment of patients with primary carcinoma of the larynx resected surgically. Immunological and clinical evaluation and therapeutic prospects]

The study aim was that of evaluate the effect of thymostimulin (Tp-1, Serono), either in vitro or in vivo, in patients with primary laryngeal carcinoma, treated only with surgery without any other complementary therapy. Nineteen patients have been studied: nine (mean age 62.5 years, range 48-70) have been treated with Tp-1 and ten patients (mean age 63.4 years, range 56-75) served as "controls". Tp-1 has been administered as follows: 60 mg/m2/daily i.m. days 1-15; 60 mg/m2 twice weekly i.m. days 16-30; 60 mg/m2 once weekly i.m. days 31-60. The treatment was stopped days 61-90. The same cycle was repeated until day 180. The treatment was stopped days 181-365. The following parameters have been assessed: clinical (at the protocol entry and after one year): Performance Status (PF, Karnofsky), local status, presence of relapses, incidence of chronic infections of the upper respiratory tract; immunological in vitro: 1) response to polyclonal mitogens, PHA, Con A and PWM, response to human recombinant Interleukin 2 (rIL 2) of PHA-prestimulated and non prestimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes. The immunological parameters also have been assessed at the protocol entry and after one year. Our results have shown that, in the group of patients treated with Tp-1, 5/9 patients (55.56%) exhibited a significant increase of the PHA response at the end of treatment as compared to pretreatment values, 3/9 (33.34%) showed a decrease and 1/9 (11.10%) an almost unchanged response. In the group of controls, 5/10 (50%) have shown a significant decrease of the response after one year, 3/10 (30%) an increase, 1/10 (10%) were unchanged and 1/10 (10%) exhibited a non univocal response.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Primary prevention: HBV vaccination in hemodialysis unit

The authors evaluated the response rate to HBV vaccination in 27 dialyzed patients. In the 1st stage, the response was 70.37%; nonresponder patients (n = 8) were treated with thymostimulin and revaccinated. The total percentage increased to 85.18%. In order to restore a normal response, the authors suggest to treat nonresponder patients with thymostimulin before revaccination.

[Alternative therapy. Chances in Bechterew disease?]

The Bechterew disease is inherited but the illness is triggered by outer influences. We are therefore not able to do causal treatment. In consequence a lot of alternative remedies like the extract of Thymus and Vitamin E have been tried. If the Bechterew disease shows more or less an ossifying progress they do not show any effect. If the issue is inflammatory Vitamin E could act as radicalintercepter. The extract of Thymus is only a placebo.

[Use of T-activin and thymalin in the treatment of ophthalmic herpes]

Therapeutic efficacies of thymalin and T-activin were assessed in 80 patients with ophthalmic herpes. Thymic hormone preparations are recommended for the treatment of a protracted condition. To monitor the course of immunomodulating therapy, the neutrophil injury index and measurements of secretory IgA in the lacrimal fluid may be used, besides the routine tests.

[Comparison of the results of the treatment of patients with SSPE using various immunomodulating preparations]

The authors analysed the results of controlled treatment by three methods of patients in the 1st or 2nd phase of SSPE in a randomized group. The groups received: I. Propionibacterium granulosum KP-45 (interferon inducer) + isoprinosine, II--TFX (thymus extract) + isoprinosine, III--only isoprinosine. In all groups the treatment was continued during 6 months. The analysis of the clinical results of these methods failed to demonstrate a statistically significant superiority of any of these methods (among others, due to small number of cases) but an evident statistical tendency was revealed suggesting a better effectiveness of combined treatment (immunostimulator + isoprinosine) in relation to treatment with isoprinosine only. The final evaluation of the results requires further observations of these patients.

[Effects of taktivin on antibody-forming splenic cells in rats]

The paper studied the effect of Taktivin on antibody forming cells of the spleen of Wistar rats which were injected in doses 0.5 Hg and 1.0 Hg. Infusions of Taktivin were made in 24 h and 72 h after antigen immunization.

[Interactions of peripheral blood lymphocytes and neutrophils in the stimulation of lymphokine production in chronic leukemia]

Inclusion of T-activin into the combined therapy of patients with chronic myelo- and lympholeukemia promotes intensified lymphokine production by peripheral blood lymphocytes. Lymphokine stimulates neutrophil phagocytic activity, therefore ++T-activin is recommended for prevention and treatment of infectious complications.

The combined treatment of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with thymolymphotropin and interleukin 2 increases PPD-driven T-cell proliferation and IL-2 induced cellular cytotoxicity against HIV-infected cells

Two in vitro systems (the DNA synthetic response to mycobacterial antigens and cytotoxicity against lymphoid cells) were used to analyse the effect of thymolymphotropin (TLT) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Purified protein derivative of mycobacteria (PPD)-driven T-cell proliferation in low-responder donors was increased by the combined treatment with TLT and suboptimal doses of recombinant interleukin 2 (IL-2). Similarly, the activities of natural killer (NK) cells and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells have been enhanced in PBMC cultures pretreated with TLT. Also, TLT showed an enhancing effect on the development of LAK cells capable of lysing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed B-lymphocytes infected or uninfected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

[Current approach in the diagnosis and therapy of alopecia in gynecology]

With an increasing frequency patients complaining problems with their hair show up in gynecologic office practices. We observe cases with alopecia androgenetica; both alopecia climacterica and postpartualis, being subgroups of alopecia androgenetica. From symptomatic as well as from pathogenetic point of view two other forms can be subdivided, to be named alopecia diffusa and alopecia areata. At the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Heidelberg an outpatients consulting programme for women with androgenetic symptoms was established some years before. The diagnostic procedures for a possible classification of the alopecia was intensified. The search for underlying internal diseases and/or endocrinopathies will be the first step towards a pathogenetically correct diagnosis, and if there is no plausible explanation reached by that, the investigation will be extended for heavy metal tracing or for the detection of other ecological damaging influences. A local treatment with thymus gland preparations (Thymu-Skin) was examined by following the conditions of a protocol. After treatment with the preparation (Thymu-Skin) 73% of all cases show improvement of the alopecia. The formula seems to be an effective alternative to the hormonal therapy. It is easy to administer and has no side-effects or contraindications. It proved also to be advisable for prophylactic use in combination with chemotherapy.

[Adaptive rearrangements in the myocardium, lung and liver of mice in altitude conditions after administration of immunomodulators]

In 120 non-inbred white rats, elevated to the height (4,000 m) after a preliminary administration of various combinations of T-activin and cyclophosphamide, structures of the myocardium, lungs and liver have been studied microscopically and morphometrically. Changes in the initial state of the immune system, independently of its character, at first stages of adaptation to conditions of altitude, essentially effect the organs responsible for specific mechanisms of adaptation. When the animals are elevated to the altitude after administration of cyclophosphamide, damaging predominantly the humoral immunity, formation of structural adaptive rearrangements is decelerated up to the 4th week. This practically means failure of adaptation. Preliminary administration of T-activin considerably smooths results of cyclophosphamide, preserving general dynamics in formation of adaptive shifts on the 25th-30th days of adaptation to the altitude.

Insulin requirements and residual beta-cell function 12 months after concluding immunotherapy in type I diabetic patients treated with combined azathioprine and thymostimulin administration for one year

An increase in clinical and functional remissions with immunosuppression, as well as abnormal T-cell function, in Type I diabetic patients has been reported in the early stages of diabetes. A controlled trial with azathioprine and thymostimulin in separate and combined administration was performed in 45 recently diagnosed Type I diabetic patients. Phenotyping of the T-lymphocyte subsets, levels of CD25 positive cells and interleukin-2 production by patients' lymphocytes, as well as remission rate and stimulated C-peptide levels, were serially assessed. Remission was defined as mean weekly glycemic profiles less than or equal to 7 mmole/l, serial HbA1 values in the normal range and no insulin requirements for at least 2 consecutive months. At 3,6,9 and 12 months of immunotherapy, remission occurred respectively in 0%, 8.3%, 16.6% and 0% of the conventionally treated diabetic controls and in 42.8%, 50%, 42.8% and 36.2% of the subjects submitted to combined azathioprine and thymostimulin administration. Patients receiving azathioprine or thymostimulin alone did not achieve better remission rates than controls. C-peptide levels were significantly higher (above 0.6 pmol/ml) in patients with remission than in those not in remission (P less than 0.02) throughout the trial. Excessive interleukin-2 production in recently diagnosed diabetics returned to normal levels in patients in remission. In the group receiving combined therapy, 38.5%, 25% and 23% were still in clinical remission at 6, 9 and 12 months after drug withdrawal. Twelve months after stopping treatment, patients who had remitted exhibited significantly lower insulin requirements and greater endogenous insulin secretion than those who had not remitted; the former also maintained near normal glycemic control. No side effects were detected except mild and transient leucopenia in a reduced number of patients receiving azathioprine. Remission was related to the time of beginning immunotherapy after the onset of diabetes (17.1 +/- 7 vs 42.5 +/- 15 days; P less than 0.01) and to age (17.7 +/- 5.6 vs 13 +/- 7 years; P less than 0.05). Interleukin-2 production seems to be negatively associated with clinical remission in the early stages of diabetes. Results suggest a complementary effect of the drugs used in this study that may enhance long-term remission in recently diagnosed Type I diabetic patients.

[Immunological status of patients with amebic abscess of the liver and its correction]

Results of the investigation of 89 patients with the amebic abscess of the liver are presented which are divided into 4 groups depending on the clinical form of the disease and the immunological state. A correlating relationship was established between the functional state of the liver and changes of the immunological status of the organism. Variants of complex therapy of patients with the amebic abscess of the liver are proposed.

[The effect of stimulants of immunity on anti-infective resistance and on the activity of the liver monooxygenase system]

The effect of some immunostimulants (bacterial lipopolysaccharide prodigiosan, active thymic peptide T-activin, synthetic compound levamisole) on the anti-infection resistance and metabolic function of the liver (hexobarbital sleeping-time) was studied on noninbred male mice. It was found that when administered in doses and under schedules that protected mice against lethal infection (Pseudomonas pyocyanea, i.p.) prodigiosan and levamisole inhibited metabolism of hexobarbital. T-activin was inactive in both tests. The possible mechanism of correlation is discussed.