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THE PROTECTIVE ACTION OF TRYPAN RED AGAINST INFECTION BY A NEUROTROPIC VIRUS
1Department of Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Abstract:
Trypan red, when injected intraperitoneally into mice, has been found greatly to lower the incidence of the infection of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with the neurotropic MM virus. The protective action of the dye is overcome if the virus is inoculated in too high concentration. The lowered incidence of infection was observed in mice inoculated with virus for as long as 29 days after the last dye injection. Of a number of dyes tested, trypan red, brilliant vital red, and Congo red were found effective. In cotton rats inoculated intraperitoneally with MM virus, trypan red was likewise found to lower the incidence of infection. With monkeys and a typical poliomyelitis virus no protection was observed against the virus inoculated intraperitoneally. The latter experiment is considered to have been inadequate for a critical test of the effect of trypan red on poliomyelitis infection. When either the MM virus or Lansing virus were inoculated intracerebrally into mice, the effect of the dye on incidence of infection was small. In the case of the Lansing virus the difference was statistically significant, however. The possible relation of alteration in the permeability of the barrier between the blood and the central nervous system as a cause of the effect of trypan red is discussed.
Insights
Trypan red significantly reduced MM virus infection in mice and cotton rats when injected intraperitoneally. This protective effect persisted for weeks, though high virus concentrations or intracerebral inoculation diminished its efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neurotropic viruses, such as MM virus, pose significant infection risks.
- Dyes are sometimes explored for potential therapeutic or protective effects against viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of trypan red against MM virus infection in mice.
- To explore the efficacy of other vital dyes and assess trypan red's effect on different viruses and animal models.
Main Methods:
- Mice and cotton rats were injected intraperitoneally with trypan red followed by MM virus inoculation.
- Different virus concentrations and inoculation routes (intracerebral) were tested.
- Monkeys were inoculated with a poliomyelitis virus to test trypan red's effect.
Main Results:
- Trypan red significantly lowered MM virus infection incidence in mice and cotton rats via intraperitoneal inoculation.
- Protection was observed up to 29 days post-dye injection but was overcome by high virus doses.
- Intracerebral inoculation showed a smaller, though statistically significant, effect with Lansing virus.
Conclusions:
- Trypan red exhibits protective properties against certain neurotropic viral infections, particularly when administered via intraperitoneal injection.
- The dye's effectiveness is dependent on virus concentration and inoculation route, suggesting a potential role for blood-brain barrier permeability.
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