Antiviral activity of a synthetic analog of prostaglandin A in mice infected with influenza A virus.
We have previously shown that prostaglandins of the A series potently inhibit virus replication in several virus-host systems in vitro. In the present report we have studied the effect of a long-acting synthetic analog of PGA, 16,16-dimethyl-PGA2(Di-M-PGA2), on virus infection in vivo, using as a model Balb/c mice infected with influenza A (PR8) virus. Depending upon the dose of viral inoculum, PR8 virus caused the death of 50 to 100% of the animals in a period of 8-20 days. Di-M-PGA2-treatment significantly increased mouse survival by an average of 40%, independently of the dose of inoculum and the age of the animals. The fact that Di-M-PGA2-treatment decreased virus titers in the lungs and did not alter the host immune response, suggested that PGA's therapeutic action was due to suppression of virus replication. Finally, two anti-inflammatory compounds, which inhibit prostaglandin synthesis, aspirin and indomethacin, were shown not to significantly alter mouse survival in this system.
Santoro
M G
MG
Institute of Experimental Medicine, C.N.R., Rome Italy.
Favalli
C
C
Mastino
A
A
Jaffe
B M
BM
Esteban
M
M
Garaci
E
E
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D011455:Prostaglandins A, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011455:Prostaglandins A, Synthetic; D001241:Aspirin; D007213:Indomethacin