Significance of diphtheria toxin in neuropathy development and protective effect of nerves growth factor

Abstract

In experiments in vitro and in vivo competitive relationships of diphtheria toxin and nerves growth factor were shown: in organotypical culture (300 sensor ganglions) and in model of experimental diphtheria neuropathy in 66 white rats. There were given evidences of protective action of nerves growth factor, inhibiting the toxic effect of diphtheria toxin. Contents of free toxin and specific immune comlexes was studied in 25 children with diphtheria polyneuropathy. Favourable outcome of disease was observed in children with high presence of nerves growth factor in blood serum, thus giving new approach in treatment of nervous system diseases.