Immunopharmacology of muramyl peptides.

In recent years the immunomodulatory activity of muramyl peptides has become of major interest because of their possible physiological and clinical importance. Many data suggest that this group of compounds has other pharmacological activities besides effects on the immune system. Some of these effects, such as pyrogenicity, sleep enhancement, and analgesic activity, are linked to the central nervous system (CNS). Other activities of muramyl peptides may involve CNS and peripheral mechanisms. These include antiinflammatory and hepatoprotective activities and the effect of muramyl peptides on blood pressure. The multiplicity of pharmacological actions of muramyl peptides suggests that these compounds might have a general modulatory role in physiological functions.