Ribavirin potentiates the efficacy and toxicity of 2',3'- dideoxyinosine in the murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome model.
The efficacy and toxicity of ribavirin (25 or 125 mg/kg/day), 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI) (200 mg/kg/day) and a combination of both drugs at these doses given for 6 weeks were investigated in the murine acquired immunodeficiency syndrome model. Our results showed a significant protection against splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and hypergammaglobulinemia in mice treated with ribavirin at 25 mg/kg/day alone or in combination with ddI at 200 mg/kg/day. A good synergistic effect was observed with the drug combination, whereas ddI alone (200 mg/kg/day) did not give any protection. Ribavirin/ddI combination protected against the loss of CD8 T cells in spleen and restored the capacity of splenocytes to proliferate after activation with a mitogenic agent. Moreover, the drug combination resulted in a protection of the spleen and cervical lymph node architectures and a regression of germinal centers. Hematotoxicity appeared at a dose of 125 mg/kg of ribavirin alone and increased when used concomitantly with ddI. In conclusion, ribavirin and ddI at low doses are synergistic and effective in the murine acquired immunodeficiency disease model, but at high doses they are toxic.
Harvie
P
P
Centre de Recherche en Infectiologie, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université Laval, QC, Canada.
Omar
R F
RF
Dusserre
N
N
Lansac
N
N
Désormeaux
A
A
Gourde
P
P
Simard
M
M
Tremblay
M
M
Beauchamp
D
D
Bergeron
M G
MG
D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D016049:Didanosine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008221:Lymphoid Tissue / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016183:Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000188:drug therapy
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D012254:Ribavirin; D016049:Didanosine