title: Immunomodulatory properties of cimetidine in ARC patients.
abstract: The immunomodulatory potency of cimetidine, a histamine H2 receptor antagonist, was investigated in 33 AIDS-related complex (ARC) patients performing detailed immunological and clinical evaluations. Cimetidine was administered orally in daily doses of 1200 mg for a period of 5 months with an interruption of therapy after the first 3 months for an interval of 3 weeks. Significant (P less than 0.05) elevations of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA), complement C4, B-lymphocytes, and OKT4+ (helper/inducer) cells were found after cimetidine intake. The in vitro lymphocyte proliferative response to plant mitogens was significantly increased, and the in vivo cell-mediated hypersensitivity reaction assessed by intradermal application of seven recall antigens improved significantly. These effects were both reversible with the discontinuation of cimetidine and reproducible with repeated administration of the drug. Clinical data such as performance status, body weight, and fever were influenced favorably (P less than 0.05) by cimetidine. The frequency of diarrhea and the lymph node size were also diminished significantly. The data suggest that cimetidine may at least partially restore immunofunctions in AIDS-related complex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Essen, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Brockmeyer
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kreuzfelder
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mertins
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chalabi
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kirch
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Scheiermann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goos
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Ohnhaus
mesh_terms: D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D002927:Cimetidine / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D003181:Complement C4; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D002927:Cimetidine