INHIBITION OF SENILE AMYLOIDOSIS OF MICE BY BIS‐CARBOXYETHYL GERMANIUM SESQUIOXIDE

Abstract

A mouse strain, ICR/SLC, was involved in spontaneous amyloidosis with high incidence. The amyloid deposition in this strain was seen mainly in the mucosal propria of duodenum and terminal ileum, liver, spleen, adrenal cortices, and renal glomeruli. The mice, orally administered more than 300 mg/kg of organic germanium for 22 months since 5 weeks old, did not develop amyloidosis. Half of the mice, given 30 mg/kg of organic germanium for 22 months developed amyloidosis. The mice given 5% carboxymethylcellulose, the solvent of organic germanium, were affected with systemic amyloidosis with high frequency. The results showed that the organic germanium successfully inhibited the occurrence of senile amyloidosis with dose response. The agent did not have any apparent relation to the incidence of hepatic cell carcinoma or pulmonary adenoma which is frequently combined with aged mice. Although the actual mechanism involved is not clear, the evidence of the inhibition of senile amyloidosis by organic germanium may give a light to elucidate the pathogenesis of amyloidosis.