[Protective activity of monoacetone glucose 3-butyrate, prodrug of n-butyric acid, against the fatal effect of encephalomyocarditis virus in mice].

A comparative study was made, in the mouse, on antiviral properties of a prodrug of n-butyric acid derived from monosaccharides: monoacetone glucose 3-butyrate (MAG = 3but), and of a free form of n-butyric acid: arginine butyrate (BuO Arg). Preventive injection of MAG = 3but protected the mice twice as effectively as BuO Arg against the lethal effect of 100 LD50 of encephalomyocarditis virus. Under the same experimental conditions, monoacetone glucose (MAG) used as carrier of the biologically active moiety, was inactive on its own. Antiviral activity of MAG = 3but was shown not to be virucidal, but rather could involve stimulation of the immune system. This capability supplements known anticellular and antitumoral properties. In total these results indicate a prime therapeutic importance for this new molecule, pharmacokinetically suitable, with its very low toxicity, for clinical application. Combined use of MAG = 3but with biological response modifiers which have similar affinity, such as Interferon, is discussed.