EN
Background: Recently has been proposed to apply a method of oral tolerance to ameliorate auto-immune reactions. The aim of this study was to use the hydrolysate of pig spinal cord proteins (mixture of neuroantigens) to induce oral tolerance in the animal model of sclerosis multiplex (SM) ñ experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: The female Lewis rats were fed with pig spinal cord hydrolysate in two doses for one week before immunization, which was induced by injection of guinea pig spinal cord homogenate. The clinical course was observed and evaluated in a fi ve grade scale. At the peak of clinical symptoms (the 13th day post immunization) the rats were sacrifi ced and the spleen removed. Splenocytes were suspended in a culture medium and placed in microculture plates. The cells were stimulated with homogenate alone, hydrolysate alone, mixture of homogenate + hydrolysate, and medium alone. The cells were cultured for seven days. Subsequently, proliferation of splenocytes was estimated by means of [3H]thymidine incorporation and expressed in cpm (average of triplicate samples). In supernatants of cultures of splenocytes the level of cytokines interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-10, IL-4, and tumor growth factor (TGF)-α was measured. Results: It was demonstrated that homogenate-induced splenocytes of hydrolysate-fed rats gave rise to low proliferation as compared to the controls used. The IFN-γ was inhibited in hydrolysate-fed animals as well as in hydrolysate-stimulated samples. Conclusion: The results show that the hydrolysate of pig spinal cord proteins has a modulatory effect on the immune reaction, particularly on the orally-induced antigen-specifi c modulation of autoimmune response. It might have a clinical implication in SM treatment.