Inhibition by polyunsaturated phospholipids of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in the guinea pig

This paper reports the effect of polyunsaturated phospholipids (Lipostabil, Nattermann, Cologne) on the severity of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in guinea pigs. A dose of 100 mg/kg of Lipostabil solution, containing about 50 mg of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA), was inoculated i.v. beginning on the 3rd day after sensitization with 100 microgram of basic protein (BP) in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). A series of 7--14 daily injections either completely inhibited EAE or reduced its severity. The production of anti-BP antibodies, detected by indirect immunofluorescence and radioimmunoassay, was not affected, whereas cellular reaction as measured by a skin test was markedly reduced. These findings confirm previous reports on the immunoregulative effect of UFA, even if a potentiating effect of additional components of Lipostabil (vitamin B6, nicotinic acid and adenosine-5-monophosphoric acid) cannot be excluded. Serological findings support the assumption that the regulative effect mainly influences the cellular response. In this way deviation in the immune reaction leading to cellular immunopathology might be prevented or decreased.