GLUTAMYL-CHOLIN AND VITAMIN B₁TREATMENT ON POLIOMYELITIS MONKEYS (PRELIMINARY REPORT)

Abstract

Many experiments on the effect of Vitamin B₁ (V.B₁) against poliomyelitis have been carried out. As for whether V.B₁ is effective or not for the treatment of poliomyelitis, there have been various opinions of pro and con based on the clinical and experimental observations. Even those who support the effectiveness of V.B₁ treatment have still failed to clear up the mechanismus acting. It has been found, however, that V.B₁ promotes the activity of acetylcholin (Ac) and in vitro studies restrains the activity of cholinesterase (ChE) . Nishizawa observed the increase of ChE and decrease of V.B₁ in the spinal fluid of poliomyelitis patients and attempted the intrathecal administration of Ac and V.B₁ on clinical cases. There were 314 patients received the treatment, of whom 106 were of early stage within one month after the onset of the disease. Out of the 106 early cases, it was reported, 68 (64.2%) recovered completely. Through further studies to prevent the dissociation of Ac by ChE and to reduce the toxicity of Ac, glutamyl-cholin CH₂-CH₂COO^- _??_NH₂CH-COO-CH₂-CH₂N⁺ (CH₃) ₃ was synthesized by Prof. Kotake of Osaka University. This compound, glutamylcholin (GLC), used in place of Ac seemed more effective. GLC 0.5-20 mg together with V.B₁ was intrathecally injected 4-6 times a week. This treatment was combined with massage from 10 days after the onset of the disease. No untoward side effects were recognized. Nishizawa pointed out that 36 out of 46 patients (83.7%) who received injections 4-6 times a week showed complete recovery, and in the group that received treatment twice a week the corresponding rate is 65.4% (53/81) .
During the typing of the virus strains isolated in Japan active virus vaccine was prepared and injected for immunization, which caused unexpected rise of fever followed by paralysis in some monkeys. These paralyzed monkeys were treated with GLC and responded favorably to the treatment. The monkeys treated were all survived, though with recidual paralysis.
The monkeys thus immunized were first challenged with “Brunhilde” strain. In order to make the best use of limited number of experimental animals, paralyzed monkeys on the first challenge with “Brunhilde” strain were treated with GLC, and the survived monkeys after treatment were slated to the second challenge with the “Leon” strain. The GLC treatment was also repeated among the monkeys paralyzed due to “Leon” challenge.