Long-term effects of amyloid enhancing factor: clinical and experimental implications.

OBJECTIVE

To study the long-term effects of amyloid enhancing factor (AEF).

METHODS

AEF, prepared from pre-amyloidotic mouse spleens, was injected intravenously into Swiss and ICR mice. This was followed by 3 daily subcutaneous injections of AgNO3, given at increasing time intervals from the administration of AEF. The mice were sacrificed on day 6 from the first AgNO3 injection, and the mean grade of amyloid deposition in the spleens was estimated using the crush and smear technique.

RESULTS

AEF was found to have a prolonged enhancing effect, retaining its activity for more than 3 months after its administration in both mouse strains.

CONCLUSIONS

Experimental animals may develop amyloidosis long time after exposure to AEF. This finding may underlie the acute reoccurrence of amyloidosis sometimes observed in patients and mice long after its resolution.