1. [Therapeutic use of splenopentin (DA SP-5) in patients with psoriasis arthropathica]
A Stoimenov, N Sönnichsen, M Miehe, J Greiner, H Weber, W Diezel Dermatol Monatsschr . 1990;176(2-3):157-62.
8 patients with confirmed psoriatic arthritis were treated with splenopentin for 12 months. A relief of joint pain could be detected under this treatment both after 6 weeks (improvement of the Ritchie-indices: 44%) and after 12 months (improvement: 28%). In contrast to this, X-ray investigations show a worsening of the disease after 12 months. Therefore we conclude that splenopentin alone is not a sufficient therapeutic drug in patients suffering from psoriatic arthritis.
2. Stimulation of the recruitment of epidermal Langerhans cells by splenopentin
G J Anhalt, S Gruner, N Sönnichsen, D Strunk, A Zwirner, W Diezel Arch Dermatol Res . 1990;281(8):526-9. doi: 10.1007/BF00412738.
Splenopentin (SP-5: Arg-Lys-Glu-Val-Tyr), a pentapeptide corresponding to the residues 32-36 of the splenic hormone splenin, increases dose-dependently the number of bone marrow colonies (M and GM colonies). Therefore, we tested the stimulatory effect of SP-5 on the recruitment of epidermal Langerhans cells in skin deprived of these cells. A high dose of cyclophosphamide or dexamethasone led to a drastic decrease of LC density in murine skin with slow and incomplete restoration. SP-5 accelerated Langerhans cell recruitment and led to pretreatment levels of Langerhans cell density in the skin. These results indicate that SP-5 may possibly be used to treat disorders (e.g., HIV infection) where impaired Langerhans cell density and function can lead to secondary cutaneous infections.
3. Splenopentin--influence on antibody formation in immunosuppressed animals and on phagocytic capability of human granulocytes
R Eckert, N Sönnichsen, G M Müller, K Forner, W Diezel Arch Geschwulstforsch . 1989;59(3):161-4.
Sublethally x-ray irradiated C57 Bl/6 Bln. mice (whole body irradiation with 600 cGy) were treated with or without a splenopentin derivative (DA SP-5: N alpha-acetyl-L-arginyl)-(N alpha-acetyl-L-lysyl)-L-glutamyl-L-valyl-L-tyrosine and compared for their capacity to produce antibodies against target sheep red blood cells. As demonstrated DA SP-5 treated mice produced antibodies earlier and in a higher level than animals untreated. Furthermore, DA SP-5 influences the phagocytic capability of human granulocytes in a dose dependent matter.
