Therapeutic effect of nucleoside analogs on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in dark agouti rats

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a commonly used animal model of the human neurological disorder multiple sclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of combined treatment with two nucleoside analogs, ribavirin and tiazofurin, on development of EAE actively induced in highly susceptible dark agouti rats. The obtained results showed that ribavirin and tiazofurin applied either separately or in combination from the onset of the firstsymptoms of EAE after its induction (therapeutic treatment) significantly suppressed EAE’s clinical symptoms. However, the most pronounced effect was gained with combined treatment, probably as a result of synergistic/additive action

Combined treatment with ribavirin and tiazofurin attenuates response of glial cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

“…Since previously we confirmed that the coadministration of RBV and TR has a more potent effect in attenuating the clinical signs of EAE than each drug given individually (Stojkov et al, 2006), in this study we used a combined therapeutic approach as well. Consistent with our prior findings (Stojkov et al, 2008), combined RBV+TR treatment significantly suppressed the development of EAE in terms of reducing disease severity, mononuclear cell infiltration and demyelination.…”

Purine nucleoside analogs in the therapy of cancer and neuroinflammation

“…Several studies exploited the fact that ribavirin and tiazofurin inhibit IMPDH via their active metabolites through binding to the enzyme at different sites and trialed them in combination therapy [89][90][91]. Indeed, it was shown that combination therapy was more effective in suppression of the ongoing disease, than each drug used alone.…”