6 Immunotropic Properties of GABA - ergic Agents in Suppression

Vigorous development of immunology and immunopharmacology is closely interrelated with formation of new scientific “branches”of neuroimmunology and neuroimmunopathology which predetermines the hypotheses of mutual regulationinteraction of the nervous and immune systems, of the significance of neuroimmune mechanisms in the regulation of most physiological functions and development of pathophysiological processes (Alford L., 2007; Irwin M.R., 2008; Freund G.G., 2009). The formulated hypotheses that immunologic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of the CNS diseases (stroke, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, epilepsy, etc.), their systematization within the scope of special neuroimmunipathology have laid the groundwork for a vigorous pharmacological search of agents for eliminating neuroimmune disturbances (Kryzhanovsky G.N. et al., 2003; Fleshner M., Laudenslager M.L., 2004; Alexandrovsky Y.A., Chekhonin V.P., 2005; Samotrueva M.A. et al., 2009). In light of this problem and considering the abundant factual material testifying to the involvement of GABAergic system in immunomodulation, substances which are GABA analogues become of particular interest (Devoyno L.V., Iliuchenok R.U., 1993; Korneva E.A., 2003). Thus, in this experimental work we studied the immunotropic properties of the known representatives of group of GABAergic agents such as phenotropil (N-carbamoyl-methyl-4phenyl-2-pyrrolidone), phenibut (hydrochloride of ┛-amino and ┚-phenylbutyric acids) and baclofen (┛-amino-para-chloro-┚-phenylbutyric acid). Having a wide range of psychotropic effects these drugs improve cognitive activity, decrease emotional tension and anxiety, normalize sleep; diminish asthenic manifestations, vasovegetative symptoms, etc. (Arushanian E. B., 2004). In this work aiming to widen the activity range of the above-mentioned drugs as well as to search for drugs capable of eliminating immune imbalance which is often in causal relationship with the CNS pathologies we studied the immunomodulating activity of gammaaminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives using an experimental immunosuppression model and determined the most effective doses and regimens.