The anti-arthritic and immunosuppressive effects of cyclosporin A on collagen-induced arthritis in the rhesus monkey.
The influence of cyclosporin A (CsA) on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in the rhesus monkey has been investigated. CsA was administered subcutaneously in a dose of 25 mg/kg per day during 9-18 days and additionally 12.5 mg/kg per day for 7 days. At this dosing regime no significant alterations of haematologic parameters were found, indicating that the toxicity of CsA was negligible. Administration of CsA after onset of arthritis had no beneficial effect, but when given between immunization and manifestation of clinical symptoms, CIA could be prevented completely. Moreover, these monkeys became resistant to the disease, because no arthritic activity could be observed upon a booster immunization with type II collagen (CII). The suppression of disease by CsA is reflected in reduced antibody levels to CII.
Bakker
N P
NP
Department of Chronic and Infectious Diseases, TNO Medical Biological Laboratory, Rijswijk, The Netherlands.
Van Besouw
N
N
Groenestein
R
R
Jonker
M
M
Hart
L A
LA
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000187:drug effects; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001772:Blood Cell Count / Q000187:drug effects; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000276:immunology*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male
D016572:Cyclosporine; D003094:Collagen