Abstract |
Male albino mice immunodepressed after the injection of dexamethasone (DEX) were inoculated intraperitoneally with the Guajira strain of Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis (VEE) virus. Melatonin (MLT) was administered daily, at a dose of 500 micrograms/kg bodyweight, for 3 days before virus inoculation and 10 days after. Serum levels of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( GM-CSF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) were determined in all the experimental groups (control, DEX, DEX + MLT, DEX + VEE, DEX + VEE + MLT, VEE and MLT). At day 6 after the virus inoculation, the survival rate was significantly increased from 0% in group DEX + VEE to 32.5% in the group of immunodepressed infected mice treated with MLT (DEX + VEE + MLT). By day 10 a survival rate of 10% was found in group DEX + VEE + MLT and 0% in group VEE. No alterations in IL-2 serum levels were observed. MLT increased GM-CSF in control and in DEX-treated mice. In the VEE virus-infected mice treated with DEX, serum levels of GM-CSF increased progressively from day 1 to 5 postinoculation. In contrast, the levels of GM-CSF in infected immunodepressed mice treated with MLT decreased significantly from day 1 to 5 postinoculation. At day 5 after viral inoculation, no differences were detected in the cerebral viral titres in groups VEE, DEX + VEE and DEX + MLT + VEE. These results show that MLT does not inhibit VEE viral replication in the brain of immunodepressed mice.
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Authors | E Bonilla, C Rodón, N Valero, H Pons, L Chacín-Bonilla, J Garcia Tamayo, Z Rodríguez, S Medina-Leendertz, F Añez |
Journal | Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
(Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg)
2001 Mar-Apr
Vol. 95
Issue 2
Pg. 207-10
ISSN: 0035-9203 [Print] England |
PMID | 11355563
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
- Interleukin-2
- Dexamethasone
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
- Melatonin
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Topics |
- Adjuvants, Immunologic
(therapeutic use)
- Animals
- Dexamethasone
(immunology)
- Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine
(drug therapy, immunology)
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
(metabolism)
- Immunosuppression Therapy
(adverse effects)
- Interleukin-2
(blood)
- Male
- Melatonin
(immunology, therapeutic use)
- Mice
- Survival Analysis
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