title: Therapeutic activity of malononitrilamides (MNA 279 and MNA 715) on acute and chronic, relapsing, experimental, allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE).
abstract: Due to their immunosuppressive mode of action, we examined the therapeutic effects of the malononitrilamides MNA 279 and MNA 715 in acute EAE, and two models of chronic relapsing EAE in Lewis rats and Biozzi mice. In the first model, sensitization of adult Lewis rats with guinea pig spinal cords results in an acute clinical episode of severe EAE, and by day 15 all animals had died. Treatment of these sensitized rats with the MNAs was most effective in delaying and reducing the onset of clinical symptoms, and mortality of acute EAE was prevented in a dose-dependent manner. The protection afforded by the two MNAs was long-lasting and no subsequent relapse was observed. Similarly, in the chronic relapsing disease, aged Lewis rats were immunized with rabbit myelin basic protein, and all untreated animals developed a disease with up to three relapses. The second and third episodes were both milder and shorter in duration than the first. All animals treated with the MNAs survived the first attack, which also was delayed. Pathological signs were reduced and relapses did not occur. Inhibition of chronic relapsing EAE in aged Lewis rats was observed, even when the MNA-treatment was started after the first appearance of clinical symptoms. All treated animals recovered completely and mortality was prevented. Also in the second model of chronic relapsing EAE in Biozzi AB/H mice, MNA treated animals showed only one acute and delayed episode and no further relapses. All these results qualify both MNA 279 and MNA 715 as powerful immunosuppressants with therapeutic potential in human multiple sclerosis (MS).
authors.affiliation: Research Laboratories Hoechst-Marion-Roussel (HMR), DG Rheumatology/Immunology, Behringwerke AG, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Schorlemmer
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bartlett
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000480:Alkynes; D000818:Animals; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007555:Isoxazoles; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009570:Nitriles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007555:Isoxazoles; D009570:Nitriles; C102911:X 910279; C115284:2-cyano-3-hydroxy-N-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-hepten-6-ynamide