Dimethyl sulphoxide reduces anti-receptor antibody titres in experimental myasthenia gravis

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Abstract
The basic abnormality in myasthenia gravis (MG) is a reduction of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) at neuromuscular junctions, due to an autoimmune attack directed against the receptors. An agent that could produce a rapid and sustained fall of autoantibody titer might have wide application in the treatment of MG and other autoimmune diseases. In the course of testing immunosuppressive drugs for their effect in treating experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG), it was discovered that the vehicle used to dissolve some of these agents, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), itself produced a rapid and sustained fall of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer. Similar results are reported for a controlled trial of DMSO treatment in rats with EAMG.