Muramyl peptides confer hepatoprotection against murine viral hepatitis.
The hepatoprotection induced by synthetic muramyl peptides was investigated using a model of lethal murine mouse hepatitis MHV-3 virus infection. MDP and a nonpyrogenic analog, Murametide, inhibited the steep elevation of serum transaminases induced by MHV-3 irrespective of whether the immunomodulators were administered before or after the infection. A significant proportion of MDP or Murametide-treated animals, in contrast to controls, survived the MHV-3 infection. The histopathological examination of the liver revealed marked necrosis of the hepatic parenchymal cells and infiltration of the inflammatory cells in controls but not in MDP-treated animals.
Masihi
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KN
Robert Koch Institute, Federal Health Office, Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany.
Kröger
H
H
Lange
W
W
Chedid
L
L
D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D006524:Hepatitis, Viral, Animal / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D051379:Mice; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000119:Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine; C042628:N-acetylmuramyl-alanylglutamine methyl ester; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase