Conclusions. SBL showed its efficacy in treating the animal model of allergic rhinitis. Its mechanisms may be related to its suppressive action on PCA reaction, the production of TXB2 and the expression of eNOS, as well as its modulation of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF and TNF-alpha, release from mast cells. The clinical trial showed that SBL had more beneficial action on the quality of life, in comparison to the placebo, in the domains of RE and BP. Some symptoms evaluations of PAR patients, including GF, NB and SF were more markedly improved in the SBL group when compared with the placebo group. Furthermore, the use of SBL, with the study dose and treatment period, was safe. However, the accurate efficacy and mechanisms of SBL are largely unknown and need further investigation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) / Introduction. Although great progress in treatment of allergic rhinitis have made in recent years, remarkably increasing prevalence and cost in epidemiology studies strongly suggest the difficulties in the management of allergic rhinitis. Shi-Bi-Lin (SBL) is a formula modified from the traditional Chinese herbal formula Cang-Er-Zi-San (CEZS) and a classic European formula SinupretRTM. CEZS has been used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis for several centuries in East Asia communities, and SinupretRTM has been used in treating paranasal sinusitis and rhinitis widely in Europe for decades. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We examined the efficacy and the possible mechanism of SBL in an animal model of allergic rhinitis and in cell culture study using Human Mast Cell Line (HMC-1) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC). In addition, a clinical trial was conducted to examine its clinical efficacy and safety. / Results. In the animal study, SBL showed a potent effect in relieving the symptoms of nasal obstruction, sneezing and nasal scratching (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but had no convincing effect in decreasing the nasal discharge (P>0.05). In PCA test, IgG1 increased in a modest manner in the SBL-treated group when compared with the sham group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Eosinophil infiltration and the expression of eNOS in nasal mucosa, but not iNOS, were obviously lower in the SBL treated group (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in comparison to the sham group. The levels of thromboxane B (TXB)2 in the nasal lavage fluid, but not histamine and peptide leukotrienes (p-LTs), showed significantly lower than that of the sham group (P<0.05). In vitro study showed that SBL modulated the cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-8, Granulocyte/Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, release from human mast cell line (HMC-1). However, the mRNA expressions of these cytokines were not significantly altered. As the controls, dexamethasone, desloratadine and budesonide had more potently inhibitory effects on cytokines release from HMC-1. The component herbs generally had stimulatory effects on the cytokine release from HMC-1 and variable effects on PBMC. In the clinical trial, a total of 84 patients were recruited in the clinical trial and 77 of them completed the trial. Although no significant differences of each domain between the SBL and placebo groups were detected, findings supported the efficacy of SBL were obtained. / by Zhao Yu. / "July 2005." / Advisers: C. A. Van Hasselt; Ping-Chung Leung; Kong-Sang Woo. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0172. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

As análises dos voláteis por SPME/CG-EM das partes aéreas, flores e frutos de Bidens sulphurea e Bidens gardneri permitiram-nos constatar diferenças em suas composições químicas. Porém, em todas as frações analisadas os compostos majoritários foram os sequiterpenos b-cariofileno, germacreno D e biciclogermacreno. Apesar dos constituintes majoritários coincidirem nas frações analisadas das duas espécies, foi possível constatar a presença exclusiva de determinados metabólitos em cada fração. A partir das frações hexânicas, oriundas dos extratos etanólicos de B. sulphurea (partes aéreas e flores) e B. gardneri (partes aéreas), foram identificadas trinta e cinco, dezenove e vinte substâncias por CG-EM, respectivamente. Na fração hexânica das partes aéreas de B. sulphurea (BsfcEt/Hx) foram identificados, como constituintes majoritários, o óxido de cariofileno, espatulenol e _- cariofileno, enquanto que na fração hexânica de suas flores (BsflorEt/Hx) os principais constituintes identificados foram _-amirina e _-sitosterol e na fração hexânica das partes aéreas de B. gardneri (BgfcEt/Hx) foram os metabólitos _-estigmasterol e o trans-fitol. O estudo químico da espécie B. sulphurea (partes aéreas e flores) conduziu ao isolamento de um sesquiterpeno (1), 5 flavonas (2, 10, 13-15), 8 flavonóis (3-8, 11, 16), 1 aurona (9) e 2 chalconas (12, 17). Já o estudo de B. gardneri (partes aéreas) conduziu ao isolamento de 4 ácidos clorogênicos (21, 22, 27, 28), 3 poliacetilenos (18-20), 2 flavonas (25, 27), 3 flavanonas (23, 24, 30) e 2 chalconas (29, 31). Os metabólitos 3-O-_-glicopiranosil-tetradeca- 6(E),12(E)-dieno-8,10-diino-1,14-diol (18), 1-O-_-glicopiranosil-14-hidróxi-tetradeca-6(E), 12(E)-dieno-8,10-diino-3-ona (19), 4-metóxi-7-O-_-glicopiranosil-8,3-diidróxi-flavanona (23), 4-metóxi-7-O-_-(6-acetil)-glicopiranosil-8,3-diidróxi-flavanona (24) e 7-O-_-(6- trans-p-cumaroil)-glicopiranosil-8,34-triidróxi-flavanona (30) estão sendo descritos pela primeira vez na literatura. Enquanto que os flavonóides 3-O-_-xilopiranosil-quercetina (5), 3-O-a-arabinofuranosil-kaempferol (8) e 3-O-b-(6-trans-cafeoil)-galactopiranosil-quercetina (16) estão sendo relatados pela primeira vez na família Asteraceae e as substâncias 4(15)- eudesmeno-1_,6_-diol (1), 6-C-_-glicopiranosil-apigenina (2), 3-O-_-arabinofuranosilquercetina (6), 8-C-_-glicopiranosil-apigenina (13), 6-C-_-glicopiranosil-luteolina (14), 8-C- _-glicopiranosil-luteolina (15), ácido 1-metil-5-O-E-cafeoilquínico (22) e 7-O-_- glicopiranosil-apigenina (25) estão sendo relatadas pela primeira vez no gênero Bidens. Além disso, convém destacar que a partir das substâncias 2-O-_-glicopiranosil-trideca-3(E),11(E)- dieno-5,7,9-triino-1,13-diol (20), 4-metóxi-4-O-_-glicopiranosil-okanina (29) e 4-O-_-(6- trans-p-cumaroil)-glicopiranosil-okanina (31) há poucos relatos na literatura e ainda não foram descritos dados de suas propriedades biológicas. Na avaliação da atividade antialérgica das substâncias isoladas, os flavonóides causaram inibição da liberação de _-hexosaminidase de forma dose-dependente, sendo que as substâncias 11 e 31 foram as mais ativas e apresentaram CI50 de 5,1 ± 1,3 M e 5,8 ± 1,2 M, respectivamente. Dentre os extratos e frações avaliados biologicamente, observou-se que BsfcEt/Hx (maior teor de sesquiterpenos) causou um estímulo da liberação de _-hexosaminidase, enquanto que BsfcEt/Ac foi a fração mais ativa (CI50 = 1,3 ± 1,1g/mL). As análises desta última fração e de BsfcEt/DCM por CLAE-DAD-EM e CLAE-DAD-EM/EM revelaram que seus constituintes majoritários são os flavonóis 3, 4, 6 e 7. / The SPME/GC-MS analyses of aerial parts, flowers and fruits of Bidens sulphurea and Bidens gardneri showed the differences in their chemical compositions. However the sesquiterpenes _-caryophyllene, germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene were identified in all fractions analyzed as major compounds. It was observed the exclusive presence of metabolites in each fraction, in spite of major constituents were equal in fractions analyzed of two species. Thirty-five, nineteen and twenty substances were identified in the hexane fractions from ethanol extracts of B. sulphurea (aerial parts and flowers) and B. gardneri (aerial parts) by GC-MS. The major compounds were caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol and _-caryophyllene in the hexane fraction from aerial parts of B. sulphurea (BsfcEt/Hx), while _-amyrin and _- sitosterol were identified in the hexane fraction of its flowers and _-stigmasterol and transphytol were main constituents identified in the hexane fraction from aerial parts of B. gardneri. The chemical study of species B. sulphurea (aerial parts and flowers) led to the isolation of one sesquiterpene (1), five flavones (2, 10, 13-15), eight flavonols (3-8, 11, 16), one aurone (9) and two chalcones (12, 17). From B. gardneri (aerial parts), four chlorogenic acids (21, 22, 27, 28), three polyacetylenes (18-20), two flavones (25, 27), three flavanones (23, 24, 30) and two chalcones (29, 31) were isolated. The substances 3-O-_-glucopyranosyltetradeca-6(E),12(E)-dien-8,10-diin-1,14-diol(18), 1-O-_-glucopyranosyl-14-hydroxytetradeca-6(E),12(E)-dien-8,10-diin-3-one(19),4-methoxy-7-O_glucopyranosyl-8,3-dihydroxyflavanone (23), 4-methoxy-7-O-_-(6-acetyl)-glucopyranosyl-8,3-dihydroxyflavanone(24) and 7-O-_-(6-trans-p-coumaroyl)-glucopyranosyl-8,34-trihydroxyflavanone(30) are described for the first time in the literature. Whereas the flavonols 3-O-_-xylopyranosyl quercetin (5), 3-O-a-arabinofuranosyl kaempferol (8) and 3-O--(6-transcaffeoyl)-galactopyranosyl quercetin (16) are described for the first time in the Asteraceaeand 4(15)-eudesmene-1_,6_-diol (1), 6-C-_-glucopyranosyl apigenin (2), 3-O-_-arabinofuranosyl quercetin (6), 8-C-_-glucopyranosyl apigenin (13), 6-C-_-glucopyranosylluteolin (14), 8-C-_-glucopyranosyl luteolin (15), 1-methyl-5-O-E-caffeoylquinic acid (22)and 7-O-_-glucopyranosyl apigenin (25) for the first time in the genus Bidens. Moreover,there are few reports of the isolation and there are not studies of biological activities from 2-O-_-glucopyranosyl-trideca-3(E),11(E)-dien-5,7,9-triin-1,13-diol (20), 4-methoxy-4-O-_-glucopyranosyl okanin (29) and 4-O-_-(6-trans-p-coumaroyl)-glucopyranosyl okanin (31).The flavonoids showed inhibition of _-hexosaminidase released with dependent-doseresponse and the substances 11 (IC50 = 5,1 ± 1,3 M) and 31 (IC50 = 5,8 ± 1,2 M) were themost active. The BsfcEt/Hx fraction (highest concentration of sesquiterpenes) induced _-hexosaminidase released, while the BsfcEt/Ac fraction exhibited the lower IC50 (1,3 ±1,1g/mL). The flavonoids 3, 4, 6 and 7 were identified, by HPLC-DAD-MS and HPLCDAD-MS/MS, as major constituents in BsfcEt/Ac and BsfcEt/DCM fractions.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a participação do sistema glutamatérgico nos efeitos induzidos pela anfetamina em camundongos sensibilizados e desafiados com ovalbumina, através do tratamento prévio com MK-801, um antagonista de receptores glutamatérgicos NMDA. Em relação aos animais tratados apenas com anfetamina, observamos que o tratamento prévio com MK-801: 1) reverteu a diminuição no número de leucócitos totais bem como o número de eosinófilos e neutrófilos no lavado broncoalveolar (LBA); 2) reverteu a diminuição da porcentagem de expressão das moléculas L-selectina e ICAM-1 em granulócitos do LBA; 3) reverteu a diminuição das citocinas IL-10 e IL-13 no sobrenadante do LBA; 4) reverteu a diminuição na contração da traquéia; 5) reverteu a desgranulação de mastócitos pulmonares; 6) não alterou a produção de IgE total e IgE-OVA; 7) não reduziu os níveis de corticosterona plasmáticos. Tomados em seu conjunto, quer nos parecer que os efeitos induzidos pela anfetamina implicam na ativação do sistema glutamatérgico via receptores NMDA. Possivelmente, as diferenças dos efeitos do MK-801, da anfetamina ou a combinação de fármacos se devam a uma ativação (modulação) diferenciada sobre o eixo hipotálamo pituitária adrenal (HPA) e/ou sistema nervoso autônomo simpático (SNAS) o que poderia explicar os efeitos opostos observados na resposta inflamatória alérgica pulmonar de camundongos. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the glutamatergic system in the effects induced by amphetamine in mice OVA-sensitized and challenged by the pretreatment with MK-801, an NMDA glutamate receptor antagonist. In relation to animals treated only with amphetamine we found that pretreatment with MK-801: 1) reverted the decrease in the total leukocytes and in the total number of eosinophils and neutrophils within the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) 2) reverted the decrease in the percentage of expression of adhesion molecules L-selectin and ICAM-1 in BAL granulocytes, 3) reverted the decrease in IL-10 and IL-13 in BAL supernatant and 4) reverted the decrease in methacoline-induced tracheal contraction; 5) reverted the degranulation of mast cells in the lungs; 6) did not alter the production of total IgE and IgE-OVA, 7) did not decrease the plasma levels of corticosterone. Taken together, it seems feasible to suggest that the effects induced by amphetamine requires the participation of the glutamatergic system via NMDA receptors. Possibly, differences in MK-801, amphetamine or MK-801 + amphetamine effects on hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis (HPA) and/or sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SNAS) might explain the opposite effects now observed for these drugs given alone or in combination in the pulmonary allergic inflammatory response in mice.

Over one third of the human population is currently infected by one or more species of parasitic helminth, but the immune responses elicited by these infections remain poorly defined. Studies in helminth-exposed human populations and laboratory models suggest that helminth infection elicits a range of different effector cell types and that protective immunity and resistance to immune-mediated pathology depends on the balance between these responses. The aim of this thesis was to investigate how cytokines, the molecular mediators of the immune system, can be used to characterise human immune phenotype during natural and experimental helminth infection. Cytokines associated with innate inflammatory (TNFα, IL-6 and IL-9), Thl (IFNγ, IL-2 and IL-12p70), Th2 (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13), Th17 (IL-17A, IL-21 and IL-23) and regulatory (IL-10 and TGFβ)immune phenotypes were analysed to provide the most comprehensive analysis of cytokine responses in human helminth infection conducted to-date. Using a multivariate statistical approach cytokines were analysed as combined immune profiles to reflect their complex interactions in vivo. In the first part of the study venous blood samples collected from a cross-sectional cohort of 284 Zimbabweans (age range: 3 -86 years) endemically-exposed to Schistosoma haematobium were cultured with antigens from different stages of the parasite's life-cycle(cercariae, adult worms and eggs) and the anti-schistosome vaccine candidate antigen glutathionine-S-transferase (GST). Cytokines responses were quantified in culture supernatants via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). These assays were repeated 6 weeks after clearance of infection by anti-helminthic treatment. Parasitological and demographic characterisation of the cohort before, 6 weeks, 6 and 18 months after treatment allowed cytokine responses to be related to epidemiological patterns of infection before treatment and the risk of re-infection after treatment. The main findings of this study were:Cytokine responses to the antigens of S. haematobium cercariae are more proinflammatory than those elicited by adult worms and eggs prior to treatment, reflecting the distinct proteomes and exposure patterns of the 3 life-cycle stages Young children (5-10 years old) have a more regulatory and Th17-polarised cytokine response to S. haematobium antigens than older children and adults. These responses are significantly associated with schistosome infection intensity and may contribute to the development of resistance to schistosomiasis with age and exposure to infection Anti-helminthic treatment leads to a shift in S. haematobium cercariae, egg and GST specific cytokine responses towards a more pro-inflammatory phenotype The magnitude of change in S. haematobium-specific cytokine profiles after treatment is dependent on schistosome infection intensity at the time of treatment Individuals who remain un-infected up to 18 months after treatment to clear schistosome infection have a more pro-inflammatory and IL-21-polarised response to S. haematobium antigens 6 weeks after treatment than those who become re-infected, suggesting that post-treatment cytokine profiles promote resistance to re-infection. The second part of the study assayed systemic, parasite and allergen-specific cytokine responses in 45 adults with seasonally exacerbated allergy to grass pollen who were experimentally exposed to Trichuris suis. Cytokine responses in infected individuals were compared to those of 44 un-infected controls. This aspect of the study showed that: Exposure to T. suis promotes systemic and parasite-specific Th2 and regulatory cytokine responses, but does not alter cytokine responses to environmental allergens.

Diferentes estudos têm demonstrado uma maior prevalência de rinite alérgica nas áreas urbanas, sugerindo um efeito decorrente da exposição à poluentes. Por esta razão, resolvemos estudar a relação da poluição atmosférica com os achados do citológico nasal em 11 pacientes com rinite alérgica nas quatro estações do ano e compará-los a 12 indivíduos normais. No verão, observamos um aumento significante de eosinófilos no grupo alérgico (p = 0,007) e um predomínio de células ciliadas no grupo controle (p = 0,021). No outono, houve um predomínio de neutrófilos no grupo controle (p = 0,027). No inverno, ocorreu um aumento de neutrófilos (p = 0,015) no grupo controle. Houve um aumento das células caliciformes (p = 0,019) no grupo alérgico. Na primavera, ocorreu um aumento dos neutrófilos (p = 0,025) no grupo controle / Different studies have demonstrated an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in urban areas, suggesting an effect resulting from exposure to pollutants. Therefore, we studied the relationship between atmospheric pollution and nasal cytological findings in 11 patients with allergic rhinitis during the four seasons of the year compared to 12 normal individuals. In summer, a significant increase in eosinophils was observed in the allergic group (p = 0.007) and there was a predominance of ciliated cells in the control group (p = 0.021). In autumn, neutrophils predominated in the control group (p = 0.027), and an increase in neutrophils (p = 0.015) was observed in winter. An increase in goblet cells (p = 0.019) was observed in the allergic group. In spring, there was an increase of neutrophils (p = 0.025) in the control group

Exposure to a strong T-helper 2 (Th2)-like environment during fetal development may promote allergy development. Increased cord blood (CB) levels of the Th2-associated chemokine CCL22 were associated with allergy development during the first 2 y of life. The aim of the present study was to determine whether CB Th1- and Th2-associated chemokine levels are associated with allergy development during the first 6 y of life, allowing assessment of respiratory allergic symptoms usually developing in this period. The CB levels of cytokines, chemokines, and total IgE were determined in 56 children of 20 women with allergic symptoms and 36 women without allergic symptoms. Total IgE and allergen-specific IgE antibody levels were quantified at 6, 12, 24 mo, and 6 y of age. Increased CB CCL22 levels were associated with development of allergic sensitization and asthma and increased CCL17 levels with development of allergic symptoms, including asthma. Sensitized children with allergic symptoms showed higher CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels and higher ratios between these Th2-associated chemokines and the Th1-associated chemokine CXCL10 than nonsensitized children without allergic symptoms. A pronounced Th2 deviation at birth, reflected by increased CB CCL17 and CCL22 levels, and increased CCL22/CXCL10 and CCL17/CXCL10 ratios might promote allergy development later in life.

Axonal damage, demyelination and inflammation of the central nervous system are the major pathological features of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is thought to be due to an abnormal T cell mediated immune response. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the advancement of MS. The reduced glutathione (GSH) has very important role in the management of oxidative stress. In our experiment we used Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model that mimic human MS and tested the effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) a constituent of oil of Nigella Sativa also known as black seed. Thirty female mice strain C57BL/6J between 6 to 12 weeks of age were placed into 3 groups of 10 and MOG was used subcutaneously (s.c) to induce EAE. Group A, the control group. Group B, received MOG (s.c) and TQ intraperiotoneally (i.p) from day 1 till day 50. Group C, received MOG (s.c) and TQ (i.p) was given on the appearance of first sign and symptoms of Chronic relapsing EAE (CR-EAE). All Mice were examined daily for behavioral deficits and all euthanized and sacrificed on day 50. In this study we found mice belonging to group C (EAE with TQ treatment after the appearance of chronic symptoms) were observed to have the highest mean clinical scores in both the acute and chronic phases of EAE with symptom reduction following the TQ injections. Group B (which received daily TQ injections) had decreased symptoms compared to Group A and C. Glutathione level dropped significantly in the control group (p < 0.05) and increased (p > 0.05) in groups B and C mice who received TQ injections. We also noted that EAE clinical signs correlated well with the extent of perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate compared with normal histology following TQ injections. Our results indicate that TQ, due to its anti-oxidant effects is almost 80% preventive and 50% curative in CR-EAE. These results could assist further studies on the mechanism of the action of TQ in CR-EAE and on the possibility of treating the chronic- relapsing phase of human multiple sclerosis. It seems within the realm of possibility that TQ may be as, if not more, therapeutically efficacious as interferon â and glatiramer acetate.

No description available.

Background: It is unclear how far the superior efficacy of omalizumab, established in randomized controlled clinical trials of patients with severe allergic asthma (SAA), translates into routine practice and when compared to matched controls. Methods: New-onset omalizumab-treated (OT) patients with SAA (n = 53) were compared to a matched control group of usual-care (UC) patients (n = 53). Treatment and procedures were naturalistic. Subsequent to a baseline assessment, patients were followed up over at least 6 months with at least two follow-up assessments. Primary clinical outcomes were the number of asthma attacks, persistence of asthma symptoms and degree of control [asthma control test (ACT), Global Initiative for Asthma]. Secondary outcome criteria were quality of life (Euro-Qol 5D) and number of medications. For each outcome we compared within-group effects from baseline to 6-month follow-up as well as between-group effects. Results: OT patients showed significant improvements in number [effect size (ES) = 0.03] and frequency (ES = 0.04) of asthma attacks as well as asthma control (ES = 0.09), whereas controls revealed no significant improvements in these measures. Further improvements in the OT group were found for ‘perceived control always’ (ACT, p = 0.006), no impairment (ACT, p = 0.02), reduction of sickness days (p = 0.002) and number of medications needed (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Substantial beneficial effects of omalizumab, similar to those observed in controlled trials and after marketing studies, were confirmed, particularly with regard to the reduction of asthma attacks, persistence of symptoms, asthma control and reduction of concomitant asthma medications. This study provides a tougher test and generalizable evidence for the effectiveness of omalizumab in routine care.

Axonal damage, demyelination and inflammation of the central nervous system are the major pathological features of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is thought to be due to an abnormal T cell mediated immune response. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the advancement of MS. The reduced glutathione (GSH) has very important role in the management of oxidative stress. In our experiment we used Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) animal model that mimic human MS and tested the effect of Thymoquinone (TQ) a constituent of oil of Nigella Sativa also known as black seed. Thirty female mice strain C57BL/6J between 6 to 12 weeks of age were placed into 3 groups of 10 and MOG was used subcutaneously (s.c) to induce EAE. Group A, the control group. Group B, received MOG (s.c) and TQ intraperiotoneally (i.p) from day 1 till day 50. Group C, received MOG (s.c) and TQ (i.p) was given on the appearance of first sign and symptoms of Chronic relapsing EAE (CR-EAE). All Mice were examined daily for behavioral deficits and all euthanized and sacrificed on day 50. In this study we found mice belonging to group C (EAE with TQ treatment after the appearance of chronic symptoms) were observed to have the highest mean clinical scores in both the acute and chronic phases of EAE with symptom reduction following the TQ injections. Group B (which received daily TQ injections) had decreased symptoms compared to Group A and C. Glutathione level dropped significantly in the control group (p < 0.05) and increased (p > 0.05) in groups B and C mice who received TQ injections. We also noted that EAE clinical signs correlated well with the extent of perivascular lymphocyte infiltrate compared with normal histology following TQ injections. Our results indicate that TQ, due to its anti-oxidant effects is almost 80% preventive and 50% curative in CR-EAE. These results could assist further studies on the mechanism of the action of TQ in CR-EAE and on the possibility of treating the chronic- relapsing phase of human multiple sclerosis. It seems within the realm of possibility that TQ may be as, if not more, therapeutically efficacious as interferon â and glatiramer acetate.