M. Grassin et al., CONTROLLED THERAPEUTIC TRIALS OF PENTOXIFYLLINE IN RELAPSING-EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS, Acta neurologica Scandinavica, 97(6), 1998, pp. 404-408
This study was designed to assess the capacity of several doses of pen
toxifylline to prevent or treat chronic-relapsing-EAE (CR-EAE) exacerb
ations induced in the Lewis rat. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a methylxanth
ine derivative that inhibits the production of TNF-alpha, a cytokine i
nvolved in EAE and multiple sclerosis physiopathology. Three blind pla
cebo-controlled randomized studies were performed in respectively 40,
30 and 18 rats: a trial of different (PTX) dosages (8, 30, 50, 100 and
200 mg/kg) versus placebo to prevent EAE onset; a trial of PTX (8, 30
or 50 mg/kg) versus placebo to prevent 2 attacks of EAE and a trial o
f PTX (100 mg/kg) versus placebo to abrogate ongoing clinical EAE. No
statistically significant difference was observed between groups in an
y trial. PTX was ineffective to prevent or treat CR-EAE in these studi
es. (C) Munksgaard 1998.