A number of ammonium salts of β-alkylthiopropionic acids and their oxidized derivatives, as well as two oxygen analogs and phenyl hydroxide, were synthesized and their antiviral activity was studied. Derivatives with a smaller alkyl radical (C2-C3) were found to have a higher antiviral activity. The results suggest that β-alkylthiopropionic acid derivatives may be promising in the search for antiviral preparations.

Experimental investigations on the spectrum and degree of the expression of trental antiviral activity were carried out. The investigations were done in cell cultures and laboratory animals using laboratory strains (including drug-resistant ones) of 13 viruses, causative agents of human and animal infections. The drug demonstrated its activity against 8 viruses of 7 families. It was highly active against 5 viruses: herpes simplex virus (including its acyclovir-resistant strain), vaccinia virus (including its methisazone-resistant strain), rotavirus and tick-borne encephalitis virus. As regards other viruses, its activity was less pronounced (hepatitis JA virus) or low (vesicular stomatitis virus, West Nile virus). It was concluded that, being a cardiovascular drug, trental was an effectve broad spectrum virus inhibitor.

The influence of herpes simplex virus on lipid exchange and accumulation by blood vessels cells was studied. In acute herpes infection in rabbits, typical dyslipidemia characterised by a rise in the content of total cholesterol, low and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in the absence of manifest changes in concentration of high density lipoprotein was detected. HSV infection of smooth muscle cell culture of human embryo aorta was accompanied by increased accumulation of free lipids in the cells. The use of antiherpetic preparations during the infection led to correction of the lipid spectrum of the infected animals and was accompanied by normalization of intracellular lipid contents. A possible pathogenetic role of HSV in atherogenesis which may be connected with at least two processes: the development of lipidemic disturbances and formation of pathologic lipid depot in the arterial wall, is discussed.

Lincomycin was found to inhibit tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. To test antiviral potential of this drug, a clinical trial was initiated entering TBE patients from known focuses of the disease (Novosibirsk, Kemerovo, Perm and Irkutsk Provinces). The drug was given to 23 patients with meningeal and meningoencephalitic TBE. A control group of 22 matched subjects received specific immunoglobulin. Resultant efficacy of lincomycin appeared not inferior to that of anti-TBE immunoglobulin. Lincomycin can be successfully introduced in the treatment of meningeal and meningoencephalitic TBE.