Effect of tetrandrine on immunological responses and cardiac transplant rejection in mice.
Mice treated with the plant alkaloid tetrandrine have a reduced capacity to mount delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses. This suppressive effect on DTH was more pronounced when treatment was begun 2 days prior to immunization with sheep erythrocytes. Similar dosage regimens significantly delayed the rejection of cardiac transplants. By contrast, there was significant enhancement of antibody production. These immunomodulatory properties of tetrandrine may account for some of its potential in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases, where immunological mechanisms are known to play a major role in pathogenesis.
Li
S Y
SY
Department of Child Health, University of Queensland, Mater Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Australia.
Teh
B S
BS
Seow
W K
WK
Ling
L H
LH
Thong
Y H
YH
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects*; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000517:prevention & control; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA
D000470:Alkaloids; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D044182:Benzylisoquinolines; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C009438:tetrandrine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide