An improvement on animal model of myasthenia gravis and the therapeutic effect of fordine

Rabbits were immunized with the purified membrane-bound acetylcholine receptor from orpedo （Narcine timilei） by a modified technique. Antibodies level to AChR of sera was etermined by ELISA. All of 39 rabbits invaribly formed anti-AChR antibodies and 21 of them eveloped muscular weakness or flaccid paralysis. Pharmacological, physiological and ltrastructural studies indicate that the pathology of experimental autoimmune myasthenia ravis EAMG) in rabbits closely resembles that of human MG. The titer of antibodies correlates poorly ith disease severity but hypersensitivity to curare is dependent on clinical status. Fordine, eversible AChE inhibitor, is a new alkaloid extracted from Huperziaceae. Its effect in reatment of EAMG is described. The side effects of fordine were mild. These results suggests hat similar treatment may prove useful in human MG.