The improvement of the course of adjuvant arthritis by thymosin led us to use the transfer factor (biological active fraction of the homogenate of human tonsillar leukocytes) in this reported experiment. Transfer factor administered in the amount 200 micrograms (analogy of 10' leukocytes) 3 times a week was able to completely prevent the development of adjuvant arthritis. In the period of maximum development of adjuvant arthritis, symptoms were observed in control rats not treated with transfer factor (on day 21 after complete Freund adjuvants application) while in the transfer factor treated rats, swelling of the paws was not demonstrated and the mobility was the same as in that of the healthy ones. Signs of bone lesions were not present in these animals as well. Transfer factor has only a weak effect on interferon production in vivo.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Therapeutic use of double-stranded RNAs in man.

The results of studies briefly summarized in this review indicate that: a/ ds-RNAs can induce IFN in man, however, their toxicities are still a serious obstacle for systemic use. b/ The IFN inducing capacity of the known inducers is determined more by physical than by chemical properties of the molecule and the toxicities exerted are neither specific nor unique for ds-RNAs. Several studies indicate that they may result from or be potentiated by the cooperative effect of the induced IFN. c/ The systemic use of ds-RNAs, so far, brought no conclusive evidence of their effectiveness in viral or cancer diseases of man. The rare beneficial effect observed in some cancer and, presumably, non-viral diseases requires reexamination. d/ Topical application remains the safest way of their effective exploitation in man. However, tests with standardized preparations are required before including ds-RNAs in the armament of physician.

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