Thiabendazole-induced suppression of renal damage in a murine model of autoimmune disease.

The present study was designed to compare the efficacy of thiabendazole (TBZ) with that of levamisole in the treatment of murine lupus. Both drugs were given in the presence of the T-dependent antigen dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Female NZB/NZW F1 mice 2 months of age were treated with TBZ + DNFB, levamisole + DNFB, and drug solvents, once a week, from 2 through 9 months of age. All mice were then left without further treatment for an additional 2 months. TBZ/DNFB treatment has significantly reduced proteinuria, glomerular deposition of immunoglobulins and complement components, and development of the proliferative glomerulonephritis characteristic of untreated NZB/NZW mice. Levamisole/DNFB treatment, on the other hand, had little to no effect on the course of the disease when compared with untreated NZB/NZW mice. These studies clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of the TBZ/antigen therapy in maintaining renal function in autoimmune diseased mice.