Combination of nucleoside analogues tiazofurin and ribavirin downregulates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Abstract

The effect of combined treatment with ribavirin and tiazofurin on the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, the best characterized animal model for human autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis, was investigated. The disease was induced in highly susceptible Dark Agouti rats with spinal cord homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant. Although ribavirin or tiazofurin alone reduced the clinical and histopathological signs of experimental autoinmume encephalomyelitis, the combination of drugs achieved the same effect with significantly lower doses.