Effect of an antidiencephalon immune serum on pain and sleep in primary fibromyalgia.

The results of a double-blind, randomized, therapeutical trial with SER282, an antidiencephalon immune serum (Serolab, Lausanne, Switzerland), in 36 women, aged 24-56 years, with primary fibromyalgia are presented. Treatment was ambulatory and consisted of either SER282 (20 mg/ml) or amitryptiline (AMI, 50 mg) or placebo (PL) over an 8-week treatment course. Clinical and sleep EEG polygraphic data were obtained at baseline and after 4 and/or 8 weeks of therapy. Compared to an important PL response and moderate analgesia with AMI, pain and associated symptoms improved moderately with SER282. In contrast, polysomnographic recordings showed that SER282 tended to promote stage 4 sleep, while AMI and PL had few--if any--effect on sleep. These results are discussed together with the clinical characteristics of the patients and the relations between pain, associated symptoms, and sleep parameters in our patient population.

Anti-stomach serum induces contraction of isolated smooth muscle cells from gastric antrum.

In this work, we investigated the ability of anti-tissue sera to cause contraction of smooth muscle cells (SMC) in vitro. Therefore, we compared the effects of a horse immune serum raised against hog gastric tissue (SER 292), of its globulin fraction (SER 292 globulin), and of its IgG fraction (SER 292 IgG), on concentration of isolated SMC from the gastric antrum of the rabbit. Our results showed that SER 292 IgG induced a dose-dependent contraction of SMC with a higher potency than SER 292 globulin and SER 292. Preincubation of SER 292 globulin with anti-F(ab')2 but not with anti-Fc reduced the contractile activity of this anti-tissue serum. A serum raised against reticulo-endothelial system (SER 108) as well as a non immune serum (SENI) did not show any contractile activity. Our data provide evidence that SER 292 interacts with plasma membrane of SMC through its F(ab')2 fragments. Withdrawal of extracellular Ca2+ caused a significant reduction of the contractile effect induced by SER 292 IgG. When 45 Ca influx was measured, SER 292 IgG induced a specific and significant 45 Ca uptake which was blocked by pinaverium, a 'L-type' calcium channel blocker. These findings tend to show that contraction of SMC induced by SER 292 IgG involves an increase of intracellular Ca2+ concentration due in part to an influx of external Ca2+ via plasma membrane Ca2+ channels sensitive to 'L-type' channel blockers.

[Effects of anti-tissue immune sera on the contractile response of cells isolated from smooth muscle of the pyloric antrum]. / Die Auswirkungen der Antigewebsimmunseren auf die Kontraktion von aus der glatten Muskulatur des Antrum pyloricum isolierten Zellen.

The effect of anti-tissue antisera on the contractile response of isolated smooth muscle cells from rabbit antrum has been investigated. Anti-stomach (SAE), anti-colon (SAC) and anti-diencephale (SAD) antisera induced a dose-dependent contraction is isolated cells, whereas both non-immune serum and antisera obtained by immunization with other foetal tissues were ineffective. Proglumide, the well known gastrin antagonist, similarly inhibited both gastrin- and SAE, SAC, SAD antisera-induced contraction of isolated smooth muscle cells.

Double-blind study on antitissue immunoglobulin injections versus placebo in the treatment of acute lumbar pain with muscular spasms.

A double-blind study was carried out on antitissue immunoglobulins (Sérocytol Neuro-Vasculaire) administered by intradermal injections to 44 patients (24 women, 20 men; age range 36-76 years) suffering from acute lumbar pain accompanied by muscular spasms. In the treated group of 21 patients, excellent or good results were recorded in 14 cases (67%) and moderate results or no effect in 7 (33%). The mean number of injections necessary was 3.7 per patient. Injections were given every four days. In the placebo group of 20 patients (an addition 3 having dropped out), excellent or good results were obtained in 6 cases (30%) and moderate results or no effect in 14 (70%). The mean number of injections required was 4.6 per patient. The parameters considered included pain (night wakings, spontaneous pain and pain on pressure) and mobility (Schober's index, distance from fingertips to ground, extension, lateroflexion). The investigating physician's evaluation of the efficacy of antitissue immunoglobulins was similar to that of the patients. Tolerance of the product was excellent in all cases.