Pentoxifylline inhibits experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Abstract

Pentoxifylline, a widely used methylxanthine, has been proven to inhibit the production and action of the cytokine TNF alpha. Since it has been suggested that TNF alpha is the major cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, we tested pentoxifylline for its capacity to prevent experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). 26 Lewis rats with acute EAE were treated with either pentoxifylline or saline. The pentoxifylline treated rats showed a significantly lower incidence of clinical signs as well as significantly lower histological inflammation. The exact mechanism of this preventive effect remains to be clarified but it might be mainly related to inhibition of TNF alpha release from central nervous system macrophages.