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Acamprosate modulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

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Inflammopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

An Erratum to this article was published on 25 January 2012

Abstract

Objective

This pilot study aimed to determine the efficacy of acamprosate (N-acetyl homotaurine) in reducing the pathological features of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) which is an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS).

Background

The amino acid taurine has multiple biological activities including immunomodulation and neuromodulation. The synthetic acetylated taurine derivative, acamprosate, which crosses the blood–brain barrier more readily compared to taurine, is currently being used for the prevention of alcohol withdrawal symptoms associated with enhanced glutamatergic receptor function and GABA receptor hypofunction.

Methods

EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glyocoprotein, amino acid 35–55. Mice were treated with 20, 100 and 500 mg/kg acamprosate for 21 days.

Results

Neurological scores at disease peak were reduced by 21, 64 and 9% in the 20, 100 and 500 mg/kg groups, respectively. Neurological improvement in the 100 mg/kg group correlated with a reduction in numbers of inflammatory lesions and the extent of CNS demyelination. Blood TNF-α levels were significantly reduced in the 500 mg/kg group.

Discussion

Acamprosate and other taurine analogs have a potential for future MS therapy.

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Abbreviations

NMDA:

N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid

GABA:

Gamma-aminobutyric acid

EAE:

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

MOG:

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

CFA:

Complete Freund’s adjuvant

ELISA:

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

PBS:

Phosphate buffer saline

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor-α

PI:

Postimmunization

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by grants from Jog For The Jake (grant # 9333-521926) and from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (grant # RG-4278).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Baird MS Center, Jacobs Neurological Institute, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203, USA

    Z. Sternberg, A. Cesario, T. Whitcomb, D. S. Sternberg & F. E. Munschauer

  2. Department of Biotechnical and Neurological Laboratory Sciences, University of Buffalo, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, USA

    K. Rittenhouse-Olson

  3. Department of Pathology, VA Health Care System, 3801 Miranda Avenue, Palo Alto, CA, USA

    R. A. Sobel

  4. Department of Surgery, Buffalo General Hospital, State University of New York, University at Buffalo, 100 High Street, Buffalo, NY, USA

    O. Pankewycz

  5. Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, USA

    B. Zhu

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  1. Z. Sternberg
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  2. A. Cesario
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  3. K. Rittenhouse-Olson
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  4. R. A. Sobel
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  5. O. Pankewycz
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  6. B. Zhu
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  7. T. Whitcomb
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  8. D. S. Sternberg
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  9. F. E. Munschauer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Z. Sternberg.

Additional information

An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10787-012-0120-1.

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Sternberg, Z., Cesario, A., Rittenhouse-Olson, K. et al. Acamprosate modulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Inflammopharmacol 20, 39–48 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-011-0097-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-011-0097-1

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