Effect of cerebrocrast on the lymphocyte blast transformation activity in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Both IDDM and NIDDM are characterized by deviations in peripheral T and B l ymphocyte count, T-helper:T-suppressor ratio, as well as by impaired T-supp ressor function. These abnormalities may promote insulin antibody and other antibody production, contributing to overt diabetes mellitus development i n early stage of the disease. In the present study we explored the effects of cerebrocrast (1,4-dihydropyridine derivative) administration on Con A- a nd IL-2-stimulated tissue lymphocyte blast transformation activity and on t he thymus and lymph node mass in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced di abetic rats. It was established that cerebrocrast, administered four times at the doses of 0.05 and 0.5 mg kg(-1), has long-term (up to 14 days) effec ts on the immune system and protects against the toxic effect of STZ in STZ -induced diabetic rats, preventing thymus and lymph node mass loss. We conc lude that cerebrocrast administration leads to the increase in number and a ctivity of T-helper and T-suppressor lymphocytes. Glycolysis and DNA synthe sis in these cells is augmented under the influence of cerebrocrast adminis tration. We propose that the increase in lymphocyte suppressive activity ca used by cerebrocrast administration may prevent the development of IDDM and NIDDM in patients with pre-diabetes, but in patients with early and overt diabetes mellitus the drug administration may prevent the overexpression of insulin antibodies and other antibodies. The effect of cerebrocrast on the lie novo production of insulin and IL-2 receptors may be beneficial for ID DM and NIDDM patients. Copyright (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.