Anti-inflammatory effect of tuftsin and its retro-inverso analogue in rat adjuvant arthritis.
Tuftsin, an immunostimulating tetrapeptide derived from immunoglobulin heavy chain, and its retro-inverso analogue have been tested in rat adjuvant arthritis. The secondary lesion of rats injected with Freund's adjuvant was significantly inhibited by both the natural and retro-inverso tuftsin administered orally. The retro-inverso analogue was at least tenfold more potent than the parent molecule, suggesting an increased stability to degradation, because of its molecular modification. The anti-inflammatory effect of tuftsin may be due to its ability to modulate macrophage function.
Becherucci
C
C
Sclavo Research Centre, Siena, Italy.
Perretti
M
M
Nencioni
L
L
Silvestri
S
S
Parente
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D005620:Freund's Adjuvant / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D014405:Tuftsin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005620:Freund's Adjuvant; D014405:Tuftsin