Method of enhancing the activity of phagocytes including macrophages,

Abstract

In one variant, the invention provides a method of enhancing the activity of phagocytes including macrophages, and in a further variant, a method of modulating the cellular or humoral immune response to warm blooded animals. The invention also provides a method of reducing the adverse effects of stress in warm blooded animals. This is accomplished by administering an ethereally monosubstituted monosaccharide having the general formula M.sub.1 --O--Y, an ethereal monosubstitution of monosaccharide derivatives having the general formula M.sub.2 --O--Y, or pharmaceutically acceptable organic acid and inorganic acid salts thereof as defined hereinafter. In the first variant, the above substances are administered in an amount effective to enhance the microbicidal activity of phagocytes, including macrophages in a normal to depressed state of activation or macrophages already activated in response to infection. In the second variant, the above substances are administered in an amount to enhance the cellular or humoral immune response when the warm blooded animal has a normal or depressed cellular or humoral immune response system, or in an amount effective to reduce the cellular or humoral immune response when the warm blooded animal has a hypersensitive cellular or humoral immune response system. In the third variant, the above substances are administered in an amount effective to reduce the adverse effects of stress on the aforementioned defense mechanisms of warm blooded animals subjected to stress.