Abstract: AIM: To observe the effects of agmatine(AGM) on the levels of IFN-γand IL-10 of the central nervous system(CNS) in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis(EAE). METHODS: EAE was induced in Wistar rats by immunization of spinal cords homogenate of guinea pigs (GPSCH) and completed Freund’s adjuvant(CFA). EAE rats received AGM intraperitoneally at 25 mg /kg, 50 mg /kg, 100 mg /kg per day for two weeks, respectively, the levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 of the CNS in EAE were observed with the method of sandwich-enzyme-linked inmunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: AGM could decrease the incidence of EAE, alleviate its clinical manifestation. The level of IFN-γin CNS of model group was significantly increased and the level of IL-10 was significantly decresed, compared with control group (P <0.05 or P < 0.01). In the CNS of three groups treated with different doses of AGM, the level of IL-10 was significantly incresed and the level of IFN-γwas significantly decresed, compared with model group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AGM could regulate the ratio of Th1 /Th2 in EAE, increase the level of IL-10 and decrease the level of IFN-γin the CNS of EAE.

Key words: experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, agmatine, IFN-γ, IL-10