Ribavirin treatment in murine autoimmune disease

Abstract

NZB/W F, female mice were treated from 20 weeks of age with ribavirin (a broad spectrum antiviral drug), cyclophosphamide, or saline. Treatment with ribavirin (250 mg/kg twice weekly) prolonged survival from 9.8 to 18.5 months, reduced anti-DNA antibodies, and prevented proteinuria. Ability of ribavirin to prolong survival was dose related when given on a twice weekly schedule. However, daily ribavirin (25 mg/kg/day) was as effective as higher intermittent doses. Optimal ribavirin therapy was equal to cyclophosphamide treatment with regard to prolongation of survival. Ribavirin treatment did not significantly alter the body weight, hematocrit, WBC count, serum immunoglobulins, or Coombs reactivity. No alterations in either cellular or humoral immune responses were noted in NZB/W F, or BALB/c mice treated for prolonged periods with ribavirin. The

Effect of the anti‐estrogen, nafoxidine, on nzb/w autoimmune disease

“…At 10 months of age 52.5% of the control females were alive, and 47.5% had died (Table 3). This is consistent with numerous studies in which NZB/ NZW females in our colony have had a median survival of approximately 10 months (12,13). The Nafoxidinetreated mice were almost all alive at this time ( P < 0.001).…”