The effects of deoxyspergualin on the development of diabetes in diabetes-prone BB rats.
The effects of the administration of the recently discovered immunosuppressant 15-Deoxyspergualin (DSP) on the development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in diabetes-prone BB rats were studied. The data show that 2 mg/kg body weight DSP, administered six times a week from the 30th day up to the 105th day of age, significantly reduced the incidence of diabetes in diabetes-prone BB rats as compared with the PBS-injected controls. The drug was also able to reduce the signs of pancreatic insulitis and the percentages of W3/25+ and OX6+ splenocytes. Interruption of the treatment resulted in a later onset of diabetes in a high percentage of animals within 41 days. These findings suggest that 15-DSP may temporarily reverse the pathogenic mechanisms leading to beta cell destruction and autoimmune diabetes in a well-known experimental model of human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
Nicoletti
F
F
Institute of Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, University of Milan, Italy.
Meroni
P L
PL
Di Marco
R
R
Grasso
S
S
Barcellini
W
W
Borghi
M O
MO
Lunetta
M
M
Mughini
L
L
Menta
R
R
Schorlemmer
H U
HU
D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006146:Guanidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011913:Rats, Inbred BB; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D006146:Guanidines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C037258:gusperimus