The immunoenhancing effect of cianidanol (C) on macrophages and on the T-cell system.

Substance C [(+)-catechin; (+)-cyanidanol-3)], which has been used for liver therapy since 1976, showed efficient immunostimulating properties in studies undertaken to investigate its mode of action. The compound had a significant effect on activation of macrophages, cytotoxic-T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells in mice in a dose-dependent manner. It also inhibited leukocyte migration in the presence of an antigen by 10.5%. Substance C significantly increased spontaneous lymphocyte transformation and spontaneous pokeweed mitogen (PWM)- and Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I (SAC)-induced immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro. Furthermore, it exerted a stimulating effect on lymphocyte PHA-reactivity. In patients with HBV-positive chronic active hepatitis (CAH) it increased the ratio of OK4/OK8 cells. Its efficacy is comparable to that of the known immunostimulator inosine. The effect of cianidanol upon rosette formation in patients suffering from chronic liver diseases and healthy controls is qualitatively and quantitatively comparable to that of levamisole. The results of these studies are presented and discussed in regard to its efficacy in the therapy of HBsAG(+) and HBeAG(+) hepatitis.