SUPPORTING IMMUNOMODULATORY AGENT

Abstract

The invention relates to an agent supporting the immunomodularity for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, said agent containing C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts and/or esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols, their use as supporting immunomodulators for autoimmune related diseases and immune-mediated chronic inflammatory diseases, as well as dietary supplements with immunomodulating effect containing these.

Claims

1. Agent supporting the immunomodularity for the treatment of autoimmune diseases containing one or more C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts and/or esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols.

2. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the carboxylic acids are straight-chained saturated carboxylic acids.

3. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the carboxylic acids are C.sub.3 or C.sub.4 carboxylic acids.

4. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the physiologically tolerable salts are salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and/or iron.

5. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the agent contains sodium propionate.

6. Agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the physiologically tolerable esters are methyl esters or ethyl esters.

7. Agent according to claim 1 in capsule or tablet form.

8. Agent according to claim 7, characterized in that the capsules or tablets contain a unit dose of between 0.2 and 5 g, in particular between 0.5 and 3 g of the carboxylic acids, their salts or esters.

9. Use of C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts and esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols, defined per claim 1, as supporting immunomodulators for autoimmune related-diseases and immune mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.

10. Dietary supplement with immunomodulating effect containing C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts or esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols, as defined in claim 1.

11. Agent according to claim 2, characterized in that the carboxylic acids are C.sub.3 or C.sub.4 carboxylic acids.

12. Agent according to claim 2, characterized in that the physiologically tolerable salts are salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and/or iron.

13. Agent according to claim 3, characterized in that the physiologically tolerable salts are salts of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and/or iron.

14. Agent according to claim 2, characterized in that the agent contains sodium propionate.

15. Agent according to claim 3, characterized in that the agent contains sodium propionate.

16. Agent according to claim 4, characterized in that the agent contains sodium propionate.

17. Agent according to claim 5 in capsule or tablet form.

18. Agent according to claim 17, characterized in that the capsules or tablets contain a unit dose of between 0.2 and 5 g, in particular between 0.5 and 3 g of the carboxylic acids, their salts or esters.

19. Use of C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts and esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols, defined per claim 18, as supporting immunomodulators for autoimmune-related diseases and immune mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.

20. Use of C.sub.3-C.sub.8 carboxylic acids, their physiologically tolerable salts and esters with C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl alcohols, defined per claim 5, as supporting immunomodulators for autoimmune-related diseases and immune mediated chronic inflammatory diseases.

Description

[0037] The results are shown in the Figures.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a listing of the mice population fed on a diet enriched with lauric acid in comparison to a control group. Onset of the disease occurred after approximately ten days and the disease reached its peak after seventeen days. With respect to SEM values the control group scored better than the group fed on the diet enriched with lauric acid.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a diagram that compares the mice population fed with propion acid versus a control group. The propion acid was administered either on the day of immunization (DI) or on the day the symptoms occurred (OD). It was found that the group that was given propion acid on the day the disease occurred showed a significantly more favorable disease course than the control group.

[0040] The influence of the propion acid on the relative axonal density, the demyelination of the white substance, and the number of CD3+-cells can be seen from FIG. 3. In any case, through administration of propion acid a significant improvement of the condition is brought about in comparison to the control group.

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the influence of the administration of propion acid on the CD4.sup.+− CD25.sup.+ Foxp3 cells expressed as a significant increase in comparison to the control group.

[0042] From FIG. 5 the influence of the lauric acid enriched diet on the CD4.sup.+ CD25.sup.+ Foxp3 cells can be seen in comparison to a control group. The administration of the long-chain fatty acids had caused a reduction of the T cells versus the comparison value. The percentage of reduction depends on the concentration of the long-chain fatty acids.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows the influence of the administration of sodium propionate on the adiponectin level based on the assessment of a study involving 10 patients. Column A shows the condition prior to the administration of sodium propionate, column B after administration of a daily dose of 1,000 mg, half of it given in the morning, the other half in the evening. Column C shows the adiponectin level 4 weeks after the administration had been terminated. Statistically, the adiponectin level increases significantly to 120 resp. 130% and the effect lasts longer than the administration duration.