Polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid [poly(IC ⅐ LC)] was evaluated for its prophylactic and therapeutic efficacies against respiratory influenza A virus infection in mice. Two doses of poly(IC ⅐ LC) (1 mg/kg of body weight per dose) administered intranasally within 12 days prior to infection with 10 50% lethal doses of mouse-adapted influenza A/PR/8 virus fully protected the mice against the infection. Determination of virus titers by hemagglutination and plaque assays showed more than a 2-log 10 decrease in virus titers in lung homogenates of pretreated mice compared with those in the lungs of the nonpretreated group. Treatment of infected mice with poly(IC ⅐ LC) resulted in a modest (40%) survival rate. These results suggest that poly(IC ⅐ LC) provides a highly effective prophylaxis against respiratory influenza A virus infection in mice.
Novel complex hydrogel beads were prepared from two edible polymers: pectin, a carbohydrate from citrus fruits, and zein, a protein from corn. The pectin/zein complex hydrogels did not swell in physiological environments, but hydrolyzed in the presence of pectinases. An in vitro study showed the capacity of the hydrogels to endure protease attack and residence time variation. The physical and biological properties of the new hydrogels were attributed to molecular entanglement of the two polymers. The pectin networks were stabilized by the bound zein molecules. In turn, the pectin networks shielded the bound zein from protease digestion.
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