Influence of neopterin and 7,8-dihydroneopterin on the replication of Coxsackie type B5 and influenza A viruses.

Pteridine derivatives neopterin and 7,8-dihydroneopterin are produced by human macrophages and dendritic cells upon stimulation with interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and therefore become detectable in increased amounts in humans during cell-mediated (Th1-type) immune response. Compounds produced upon influence of cytokine IFN-gamma often exert antiproliferative and antiviral activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of neopterin and 7,8-dihydroneopterin on the replication of Coxsackie type B5 and influenza A viruses.

Kynurenine and neopterin in the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber of the eye and in serum of cataract patients.

Serum kynurenine, neopterin, selenium concentrations; neopterin concentrations in aqueous humour from anterior chamber of eye and selenium content in lenses were determined in 40 catarat patients with and in 51--without pseudoexfoliation (PES). Significantly increased kynurenine and neopterin levels in serum and neopterin concentration in aqueous humour were observed in mature cataract patients with PES compared to whose without. These patients also presented with the lowest content of selenium in serum and lens, compared with cataract patients without PES.

The influence of L-tryptophan peroral load on glomerular filtration rate in chronic glomerulonephritis and chronic renal failure.

The results of our clinical observations of 102 patients with chronic glomerulonephritis with normal renal function and 10 patients with chronic renal failure, as well as 10 healthy individuals allow us to conclude that in patients with high proteinuria and impaired renal function the serum concentration of tryptophan is decreased, both before and after peroral L-tryptophan load. We have found a positive correlation between serum concentration of albumin and tryptophan in patients with normal kidney function, and negative correlations between serum concentration of albumin and intensity of proteinuria, as well as between serum concentration of tryptophan and proteinuria. Our studies have shown that L-tryptophan peroral load increases the glomerular filtration rate in healthy individuals, in patients with membronous proliferative glomerulonephritis with proteinuria 2 g/24 h and mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis with proteinuria < 2 g/24 h.