immunotherapeutic effects of pentoxifylline in type 1 diabetic mice and its role in the response of t-helper lymphocytes

objective(s):pentoxifylline is an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent and is used in vascular disorders. it has been shown that pentoxifylline inhibits proinflammatory [d1] cytokines production. the purpose of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of pentoxifylline on the treatment of autoimmune diabetes in mice. materials and methods: diabetes was induced by multiple low dose of streptozotocin (mlds) injection (40 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) in male c57bl/6 mice. after induction of diabetes, mice were treated with pentoxifylline (100 mg/kg/day ip) for 21 days. blood glucose levels and plasma levels of insulin were measured. splenocytes were tested for proliferation by mtt test and cytokine production by elisa. results: pentoxifylline treatment prevented hyperglycemia and increased plasma insulin levels in the diabetic mice. aside from reducing lymphocyte proliferation, pentoxifylline significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory interleukin 17 (il-17) as well as interferon gamma (ifn-γ), while increased anti-inflammatory cytokine il-10 as compared with those in mlds group (diabetic control group). conclusion: these findings indicate that pentoxifylline may have therapeutic effect against the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells during the development of mlds-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.