| Mutagenic effects of ribavirin has been evaluated by | | | | confirms that ribavirin is a genotoxic chemical evenin |
| bone marrowmicronucleus assay in Wistar rats. | | | | therapeutic dose levels revealed by micronucleus |
| Animals (n=5) were injected(i.p.) with either single | | | | assay, hencecare should be taken against this |
| dose of 40 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CP)as positive | | | | chemical as it is used inaerosolised form in young |
| control or 20,100,200 mg/kg ribavirin. Animals | | | | patients. |
| treatedwith 0.1 ml. distilled water (n=15) served as | | | | ANALYSIS OF ANTI-HIV ACTIVE |
| negative control.Samples were collected from the | | | | PREGNANCYASSOCIATED PROTEIN FROM HUMAN |
| femora of all animals at 24,48and 72 h post exposure | | | | PLACENTA |
| into 5% bovine albumin in phosphatebuffered saline | | | | Human Immunodeficiency Virus I (HIV-I) transmission |
| (PBS), centrifuged at 1000 r.p.m and smears | | | | duringpregnancy is highly complex and a variable |
| wereobtained from the pellet. Slides were stained | | | | process due to theexpression of several anti-HIV |
| with May-Gruenwald-Giemsa at pH 6.8. 2000 | | | | factors. In this study, we haveanalyzed the anti-HIV |
| polychromatic erythrocytes(PCE's) were counted | | | | activity of a pregnancy-associated protein(Pap-1) |
| animal, corresponding normochromaticerythrocytes | | | | present in placental tissue as well as in urine of |
| (NCE's) were documented. During this | | | | pregnantwomen during their first trimester. Based on |
| micronucleatedPCE's (MNPCE's) and NCE's (MNNCE's) | | | | the observation thatleupeptin inhibit the activity of |
| wererecorded. Data were analysed by Mann Whitney | | | | Pap-1, a leupeptin-binding proteinpart (Pap-1a) was |
| ‘U' test.MNPCE's and MNNCE's were significantly | | | | purified from Pap-1. It is found that the purifiedPap-1a |
| elevated in treatedgroups (p <0.05 to P <0.001), | | | | can inhibit HIV-1 IIIB/HUT 78 infection. The |
| PCE% and P/N were significantlydecreased compared | | | | molecularanalysis of the action of Pap-1m showed |
| to negative control (p <0.05 or P <0.001).Dose | | | | that the anti-HIV activityis due to its action on |
| dependent elevation of MNPCE's was seen on 48 | | | | HIV-CD4 binding through inhibition of CD4-gp 160 |
| and72 h, whereas independent of doses at 24 h. | | | | interaction. Based on the characterization of Pap-1 |
| MNNCE's were notdose dependent. Dose dependent | | | | andPap-1a, a mechanism for their association and their |
| decrease in PCE% and P/Nwere seen on 24 and 48 | | | | action onHIV-1 infection was discussed. |
| h, independent of doses tested at 72 h.This study | | | | |