EFFECTS OF THERAPEUTIC RIBOSE LEVELS ON HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION IN-VITRO

Ribose has been used successfully in the treatment of ischemic heart d isease and muscular enzyme deficiencies, and its administration also f acilitates the diagnosis of coronary artery disease by influencing tha llium-201 scintigraphy. Concerns about the safety of ribose therapy ha ve been triggered by reports about inhibitory effects of ribose on cel l proliferation in vitro. This study examines possible side effects of ribose on human lymphocytes. Unstimulated and mitogen-stimulated huma n lymphocytes were incubated with ribose concentrations associated wit h high-dose oral administration, i.e., 3.5 mM, and with two- (7 mM) an d tenfold (35 mM) higher concentrations. Cell cultures with matching g lucose concentrations served as controls. Incorporation of [H-3]thymid ine into cells was used to measure cell proliferation. No significant inhibition of human lymphocyte proliferation in vitro was observed in mitogen-stimulated cells. Unstimulated cultures showed significant inh ibition only at 35 mM ribose. It is concluded that ribose plasma level s associated with high-dose oral administration do not inhibit human l ymphocyte proliferation in vitro. No evidence was found that short-ter m ribose therapy is harmful to human lymphocytes.