The effect of immunomodulating drugs on the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic lymphocytes in inflammatory infiltrations in the muscle tissue of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis

In order to determine the effect of apoptosis and necrosis on the intensity of the muscular phase of infection by Trichinella spiralis, male CFW mice were orally infected with T. spiralis larvae and treated with some immunomodulating drugs: calf thymus extract (TFX), lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia coli (LPS), and dexametasone (DEX). Treatment with TFX increased the proportion of apoptotic lymphocytes and decreased the proportion of necrotic lymphocytes from 14 to 60 days after infection in mice infected with T. spiralis. Treatment with LPS increased proportions of both apoptotic and necrotic lymphocytes from 21 to 60 days after infection, especially at 28 days after infection. Treatment with DEX increased the proportion of apoptotic lymphocytes only at 28 days after infection, and significantly increased the proportion of necrotic lymphocytes at 21 days after infection. Parasite load in the affected muscle tissue was significantly lower than the control in mice treated with TFX, not significantly different from the control in mice treated with LPS, and significantly higher than the control in mice treated with DEX. The results of the study suggest that the parasite made an effort to reduce the effectivity of the host immune response in order to ensure its own survival.

[State of the higher nervous activity and the immune system after vilozen adminstration]

Investigation of the condition of higher nervous activity and immune system after the vilosen immunostimulation was conducted. It was shown that vilosen caused increase of the monocytes and T-lymphocytes quantity at the expence of T-supressors subpopulation in the peripheral blood. Increase of the functional mobility of the nervous processes was also shown. Positive correlations between the functional mobility and quantity of the monocytes (r=0,7) and T- supressors (r=0,6) quantity in the perypheral blood were established.

[Changes in regional meningeal immunity in local immunomodulating therapy in patients with acute traumatic intracranial hematomas]

A clinicomorphological study of 660 patients with acute traumatic intracranial hematomas has shown that pneummonia develops in 56% of cases, intracranial complications (purulent meningitis) in 14%.Pyoinflammatory complications were 1.5-1.7 times less common in small-sized hematomas, their total rate and the rate of pneumonias was twice higher in left cerebral hemispheric lesion. On the contrary, intracranial complications were twice more common in right cerebral hemispheric lesion. The structural bases of the regional meningeal immunity system were as follows: the pathways of blood and spinal fluid circulation and dural arachnoidal intercellular fluid; cellular cooperation of the meninx and tissue of the brain; the network of lymph vessels of the dura mater encephali and adventitia of large blood vessels and middle and inferior jugular (regional) lymph nodes. Morphodunctional changes in the local meningeal immunity system in patients with hematomas point to the development of secondary immunodeficiency. Inclusion of regional immunotherapy with T-activin into multimodality treatment decreases the incidence of extra- and intracranial pyoinflammatory complications and mortality.

[Immunotropic treatment of patients with surgical treatment of the gastrointestinal tract]

Results of examination of systemic immunity state, microbiocenosis and immunohistological changes of tissues of the esophagus and stomach in 37 adult patients and 69 children with erosive-ulcerous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract were analyzed. Based on these examinations, up-to-date immunomodulator tamerit inhibiting pathologic activity of monocytes/macrophage system with simultaneous activation of neutrophil granulocytes was used in 154 adult patients and 69 children. Positive result was achieved in all the cases when tamerit was used.

[Changes of biogenic amines in the thymus cell system after T-activin administration]

The aim of this work was to study the dynamics of the neurotransmitter (cateholamine, serotonin, histamine) content in the thymic structures, as well as of heparin maturation degree and degranulation in the thymic mast cells population by means of Falck, Cross and Unna luminescent-histochemical methods 1-30 days following daily T-activinum injections. Concentration of the neurotransmitters in all the bioamine-containing thymic structures was found to fall by day 7, but after day 14 it began to increase, reaching a high level by day 30 that significantly exceeded the initial values. The degree of heparin maturation in mast cells was increased at days 21 and 30. Long-term T-activinum administration (for more than 7 days) is not justified, since an excessive increase in bioamine and heparin content suppresses immune reactions. Degranulating mast cells, surrounded by the zones of microenvironment, that were saturated with the bioamines capable of suppressing thymocytes, were found to predominate at the late stages of an experiment with T-activinum injections.

[Effectiveness of using immunomodulators in combined treatment of patients with chronic gastritis and ulcer disease]

Clinical and instrumental-laboratory investigations have been conducted in 372 patients with chronic antral gastritis (CAG, n = 131), diffuse gastritis (DG, n = 108) and ulcer disease (UD, n = 135). Immunomodulators tactivin and levamisol were added to standard treatment of 75 CAG, 63 DG and 85 UD patients. Healing of the lesions was observed, on the average, on the treatment day 24.3 +/- 0.5 and 18.4 +/- 0.6 in the standard treatment and with the added immunomodulator, respectively. Adjuvant levamisol diminished the number of recurrences of chronic gastritis and UD.

[Correction of immunodeficiency status caused by herbicide 2,4-D in experiment]

A possibility to correct the immunodeficiency state, caused by herbicide 2.4-D (20 mg/kg of weight daily during 5 days), by using immunomodulators Levamisole (perorally), Tactivinum (hypodermically) and Spleninum (hepodermically) in reactions Graft-versus-Host (GH), Antibody-Forming Cells (AFG) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages in vivo and in vitro etc, was studied in experiments with 360 mice of lines CBA and F1 (CBAxC57B1/6) weighing 18 to 22 g. It was established that Levamisole (2.5 mg/kg per body weight, for 1 to 3 days) and Tactivinum (0.2 mkg/mouse, for 1 to 3 days) had an immunocorrecting effect in poisoning by 2.4-D. Spleninum (10 mcl/mouse) corrected mainly the humoral chain in the immune response with the AFG recovery to the level observed in intact animals (controls). The data on the influence produced by the immunomodulators on the phagocytic activity in vitro correlated with such data obtained in vivo.

Compartmentalisation between gut and lung mucosae in a model of secondary immunodeficiency: effect of thymomodulin

Compartmentalisation of mucosal immune response seems to be the result mainly of the preferential migration of activated cells back to their inductive sites. The aim of this report was to demonstrate, in a model of secondary immunodeficiency in Wistar rats (severely protein deprived at weaning and refed with casein 20%; group R21), that the oral administration of Thymomodulin (group:R21TmB) has different effects on gut and BALT (Bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue). Tissue sections (5 mu) were studied by immunohistochemistry 1). The oral administration of Thymomodulin restores only in gut Lamina propria (LP) the IgA B and CD4 T cell populations to control levels. The CD8a and CD25 subpopulations do not vary in gut as they return to control levels when refed with 20% casein diet. All the populations mentioned above remained decreased even after receiving Thymomodulin by the oral route. However, the same behaviour was observed for the TCR delta T cells that were decreased and return to normal levels in both mucosae by the effect of the immunomodulator; 2) when studying the iIEL (intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes) CD8 alpha, CD25 and TCR gamma delta T cells, that were increased in R21, return to control levels in R21TmB. In BALT intraepithelium CD8 alpha and CD25 T cells remained decreased, while only TCR gamma delta T cells (increased in R21) return to control values.

CONCLUSIONS

1) there exists a compartmentalisation between both mucosae, as T CD4+ and IgA B+ cells are restored by TmB only in gut; 2) only those iIEL involved in inflammation (CD8 alpha+/CD25+ and TCR gamma delta+/CD25+) are normalised by means of the Thymomodulin 3) however, in BALT,only TCR gamma delta+ T cells are restored 4) the oral administration of the present immunomodulator may be useful as a therapeutic agent, although the preferential survival in the tissue of initial stimulation is the major factor in the preferential distribution of activated cells.

[Prevention and treatment of postoperative complications of hepatic echinococcosis]

The paper presents the outcomes of surgical treatment in 117 patients with complicated liver echinococciasis in the past 9 years. Hepatic function and immunity, their pre- and postoperative changes in the combined use of essentiale and T-activin were studied. It has been found that the functional status of the liver, its detoxifying function in particular, largely impairs and immunosuppression develops in patients with complicated liver echinococciasis. The postoperative combined use of essentiale and T-activin led to the normalization of hepatic function and immunity. The combined treatment reduced the incidence of postoperative complications from 34.83 to 17.2%, such as acute hepatic failure, suppuration of a wound and a residual cavity, isolated abdominal abscesses, pleurisy, and pneumonia.

Effects of thymomimetic drugs and zinc supplementation on the cellular immune response in hydrocortisone-suppressed mice

The studies were carried out on Balb/c mice (5-6 weeks of age) exposed to immunosuppression by a single intraperitoneal dose (125 mg/kg) of hydrocortisone. Prior to hydrocortisone injection the mice were treated with diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) intra-peritoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg, five times at 48 h intervals or calf thymus extract (TFX) at a dose of 10 mg/kg, 10 times at 24 h intervals. The two drugs were used per se or in zinc ions interactions, by adding zinc ions (as sulphate salt) to drinking water at a dose of 72 microg/mouse per day. The results obtained in the study show that hydrocortisone injection drastically decreases the number of thymocytes and splenocytes, which is also accompanied by a decreasing weight ratio of the thymus and spleen. The decreasing number of thymic and spleen cells corresponds to a decreasing percentage of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ splenocytes and double positive CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Changes in the number of thymic cells affect their activity, which is expressed in a decreased proliferative response of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). It has also been found that a single hydrocortisone dose decreases interleukin (IL)-1 production by murine intraperitoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli. TFX or DTC counteract hydrocortisone-induced immunosuppression, which is expressed in partial normalization of the total number of thymic and spleen cells, accelerated regeneration of the two lymphatic organs, shorter suppressive action of hydrocortisone on the percentage of CD4+, CD8+ splenocytes and double positive (CD4+CD8+) and CD4+ thymocytes. Furthermore, total counteraction against the suppressive action of hydrocortisone to proliferative activity of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with Con A and PHA was observed. TFX administered prior to hydrocortisone injection partially prevented the suppressive action of the drug on IL-1 production by intraperitoneal macrophages, but such an effect was not observed with DTC. The immunorestorative effect of TFX and DTC was augmented by zinc supplementation. The results obtained in the study show that neither TFX nor DTC administration per se and in interaction with zinc supplementation were able to change the suppressive effect of hydrocortisone on the percentage of B splenocytes (CD19+ cells).

Management of severe atopic dermatitis with thymostimulin

Two patients with severe atopic dermatitis unresponsive to conventional therapy were enrolled in a clinical trial on thymostimulin (TP-1). TP-1 was administered by subcutaneous injection 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days and then 1 mg/kg/day on alternate days for 2 months. Clinical and immunological status were evaluated at baseline and at regular intervals during the treatment. Clinical severity scores included eight skin conditions (erythema, edema, vesicle, crust, excoriation, scaling, lichenification, pigmentation), two subjective components (itchiness and loss of sleep), and extent of area affected. There was a statistically significant improvement in the overall assessment of the severity scores. There were no definite changes in immunological parameters including CD4, CD8 T-cell subpopulations and serum IgE, but eosinophil count showed a mark decrease in one case. No serious side effects were observed.

Application-dependent immunomodulating and antimetastatic efficacy of thymic peptides in BALB/c-mice

The immunomodulating and antimetastatic activity of clinically approved, low molecular weight, standardized thymic peptide (TP) preparations was evaluated in BALB/c-mice. Daily applications (subcutaneously, s.c.; intraperitoneally, i.p.; intramusculary, i.m.) of two commercially available TP preparations (7 consecutive days, 10, 50 and 100 micrograms per mouse and injection) up-regulated the thymus weight and thymocyte counts as well as peripheral blood leukocyte and lymphocyte counts in liver metastases-bearing mice. The immunomodulating activity of TP application was most pronounced and statistically significant for thymus weight and counts of thymocytes, leukocytes and lymphocytes after s.c. administration of both TP preparations and concentrations. I.p. and i.m. TP-injections were less effective at reaching statistical significance, however, for defined dosages and parameters, only. To evaluate the influence of TP on experimental liver metastases, RAW 117 lymphosarcoma cells were intravenously inoculated into BALB/c-mice. TP (10, 50, 100 micrograms/mouse) were s.c., i.p. and i.m. administered daily for 7 consecutive days starting 24 hours after tumor cell challenge. Liver colonization was investigated on day 14 after tumor cell inoculation and demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.05) reduction of experimental liver metastases for s.c. (both preparations and concentrations) as well as i.p. and i.m. (dose-dependent) TP-treated mice.

[Use of prodigiozan and tactivin for treatment of patients with chronic Klebsiella infections]

Two-stage immunocorrection in patients with chronic Klebsiella infections by consecutive administration of prodigiozan and tactivin, has been shown to facilitate the restoration of the balance of immunoregulating cells, to enhance proliferative response to T- and B-mitogens, thus producing favorable clinical dynamics. The possibility of chronic Klebsiella infections therapy, based on the use of immunocorrecting preparations (prodigiozan and tactivin) and antibiotics capable of intracellular penetration (sumamed and cyprofloxacin) is discussed.

[Application of systemic enzyme therapy in combined treatment of patients with pulmonary cancer and malignant thymoma]

The systemic enzymotherapy using Wobe-Mugos E in the combined treatment of 32 patients with pulmonary cancer and of 21 patients with malignant thymoma was applied. After the chemotherapy and radiotherapy conduction the reduction of the postoperative septic-purulent complications, the pneumofibrosis occurrence prophylaxis was noted.

Local transrectal enzymatic treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia: initial clinical experience

We report our initial clinical experience with local transrectal application of enzymatic treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis and prostatodynia in 20 patients. Using a specially designed symptom score for evaluation of subjective treatment parameters, a statistically significant improvement of symptoms was found in the areas of pain, micturition, and recreational activities. No statistically significant differences were noted in laboratory values before and after treatment. Minimal local side effects were seen in only one patient. A favorable clinical response was noted in 75% of patients, whereas the remaining 25% showed only moderate improvement of symptoms. No patient experienced complete treatment failure.

[Immunomodulating therapy of psoriasis vulgaris]

BACKGROUND

Newest studies have shown that psoriasis is not primarily a skin disorder but an immunological disturbance under the skin. The skin manifestations are a result of overstimulation of superficial skin cells (Langerhans cells) due to increased production of interleukin 2, 6 and 8 as well as transforming growth-factor-alpha. Interleucin-10 production is diminished. In a recent study (11 German University Skin Clinics) fumaric acid was shown to improve the skin leasons in 80% of treated patients.

OWN EXPERIENCES

Our own studies on 54 patients which where treated in addition with intravenous thymus extract (Thymoject) and selenium (Selenase) showed a faster healing rate with fumaric acid alone. From these results one can postulate that the above treatments (fumaric acid, thymus and selenium) have a synergystic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Internal immunmodulating treatments should therefore have preference over external symptomatic treatments like UV-light, ointments, salt water bath, etc.

The role of Wobe-Mugos in reducing acute sequele of radiation in head and neck cancers--a clinical phase-III randomized trial

Oral enzymes act as a potent antiinflammatory, antiedematous agents thereby decreasing acute toxigenic effect of radiation and increasing compliance, quality of life of our patients. Fifty patients were randomized 25 allocated in enzyme and radiotherapy arm, 25 in radiotherapy alone. Pre RT and post RT biopsies were taken from both arms. In our study it was found that there was clinical, histopathological as well as statistical significant difference in both arms. The enzyme arm patients had mucostis of grade I in 76%, grade II in 12%, grade III in 8% while as 8% had grade I, 68% grade II, 24% had grade III in RT arm alone. In enzyme patients skin reactions of grade I in 72%, 20% had grade II, 8% had grade III. In control arm 12% had grade I, 76% had grade II, 8% had grade III skin reaction.

[Prophylaxis of purulent complications in operations on large joints by endolymphatic infusion of drugs]

2 groups of patients operated on knee joints for traumatic injuries were examined. In the study group endolymphatic drug therapy was carried out in postoperative period, in control group of patients conventional way of intramuscular administration of preparations was used. During the treatment, plasmatic cells, macrophages and tissue basophiles in synovial liquor were studied as well as synthesis of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) in plasmatic cells. It was shown that immune homeostasis of synovial liquor in postoperative period normalized faster in endolymphatic administration. The studies of tissue basophiles have shown that inflammatory process in the knee joint is completed faster when endolymphatic route of drug administration was used. Clinical results evidence of higher effectiveness of endolymphatic therapy in comparison with conventional method of treatment in postoperative period. In the former case the inflammatory process was completed by the 5th day, in the latter--by the 7th-9th day. The endolymphatic therapy in all the patients resulted in healing of operation wounds by primary intention. In the group of patients treated by standard methods, suppuration of the wound was detected in 6 from 27 patients and postoperative synovitis in 7-9 days was observed in 6 patients.

Proteinases reduce metastatic dissemination and increase survival time in C57Bl6 mice with the Lewis lung carcinoma

The effect of combined proteolytic enzymes, administered by the rectal route, on the metastatic process and the time of survival in C57Bl6 mice with the Lewis lung carcinoma inoculated subcutaneously was investigated. In the control group, which received no enzyme treatment, 90% of animals died of the metastatic spread of cancer by day 18 after primary tumor extirpation. In Group A, which received the multi-enzyme solution from the time of primary tumor extirpation, 30% of mice died of disseminated cancer by day 25. In Group B, which was treated with the enzymes from 6 days before primary tumor extirpation, only 10% of animals showed the metastatic process by day 15. In Group C, which received the enzymes from 24 hours after intracutaneous tumor inoculation, no metastatic dissemination was discernible. In these three groups, the enzyme treatment was carried out throughout the study. None of the control animals survived for 100 days when the study was ended. The treated groups A, B and C showed survival rate 60%, 90% and 100% of animals, respectively, by 100 days.

Effectiveness of immunomodulating treatment (thymostimulin) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

We conducted a prospective randomized study to assess the effect of thymostimulin in patients with long-standing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during a 1-year follow-up. A total of 38 patients in the intervention group and 40 in the control group received standard treatment for COPD. Patients in the intervention group were also given thymostimulin intramuscularly (1 mg/kg day for the 1st week followed by once a week for 6 months). At the end of the study period, patients treated with thymostimulin showed a statistically significant lower number of exacerbations and hospital admissions as compared with controls. However, there were no changes in the number of patients with severe or moderate impairment of respiratory function throughout the study period. No significant differences were found by Multitest or in serum concentrations of immunoglobulins and T-cell subsets before and after thymostimulin treatment. We conclude that treatment with thymostimulin is effective in the prevention of COPD exacerbations acting on the cellular immune response involved in bronchopulmonary defense.

[The effect of complete thymic extract on motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa in asthenozoospermia]

The thymic gland is involved in immunologic and endocrinologic heomostasis of the body. Neonatal thymectomy of experimental animals leads to gonadal dysgenesis. Both eostrogen and androgen receptors have been identified in thymic epitelial cells, and sex steroids can be modulated by secretion of thymosin. High levels of thymosin alpha-1 in seminal plasma are correlated with sperm count, viability and motility in fertile males as compared to infertile ones. In this study we examined the effects of complete thymic extract on motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa obtained from asthenozoospermic men. In the first part of experiment, we studied the influence of complete thymic extract, as a bioactive medium component, on movement of spermatozoa samples with initial motility lower than 30%, in vitro. The study was carried out on two groups of sperm samples, 40 samples each, obtained by masturbation after a 72-hour-abstinence. After completed liquefaction at room temperature (30-40 min.), we determined the usual parameters of sperm quality. Total motility (M%) and progressive motility (PM%) of spermatozoa were analyzed in 10 microscopic view fields. Each group of sperm samples was prepared by swim-up and swim-down method. Then, we estimated the total motility and progressive motility of "washed" spermatozoa in every sample. In addition, every sample was divided in two equal parts. One part was immediately left in thermostat (control). To the second part we added 0.2 mg of complete thymic extract before incubation (experimental group). Total and progressive motilities were analyzed after 1, 4, 12 and 24 hours of incubation. The t-test was used for statistical analysis of results. The second part of the study was carried out on a group of 10 asthenozoospermic men (volunteers). We examined the influence of complete thymic extract, as intra-muscular injection, in a doze of 150 mg daily, during seven days, on motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa. Sperm samples were obtained by masturbation after four days of abstinence. We compared the parameters before and after the therapy. They were statistically processed by a method of difference. The results showed that the complete thymic extract increased the total and progressive motilities of spermatozoa separated by swim-down method (p < 0.001), in vitro (Table 1-4). The parenteral application of complete thymic extract, statistically significantly increased motility and progressive motility of spermatozoa in asthenozoospermic men (p < 0.05) (Table 5). These findings could be useful in assisted reproductive technology.

[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.