THE INFLUENCE OF 1'-METHYLASCORBIGEN AND 1'-ETHYLASCORBIGEN ON METABOLISM OF ARACHIDONIC-ACID IN MURINE SPLEEN-CELLS

Ascorbigens are indole-containing derivatives of L-ascorbic acid, some of them (e.g., 1'-methylascorbigen) have been shown to inhibit growth of experimental murine tumors. Immunomodulating properties of 1'- methylascorbigen correlated with its antitumor effect. The immunomodulating action of 1'-methylascorbigen is to a marked degree based on its influence on arachidonic acid metabolism in murine spleen cells. A single injection of 50 mg/kg 1'-methylascorbigen leads to pronounced and immediate increase of the cells' ability to produce PGE2 and LTB4 (up to 550% and 460%, correspondingly). Till the tenth day after injection the levels of these metabolites of arachidonic acid were double that of the control. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc.