Abstract

A conjugate consisting of the antiviral nucleotide analogue adenine arabinoside 5'-monophosphate (araAMP, vidarabine monophosphate) and the naturally occurring polysaccharide arabinogalactan was synthesized. The conjugate consisted of 7.9 araAMP residues per molecule of arabinogalactan. The proposed structure of the conjugate was consistent with 13C NMR spectroscopic studies. Daily injections of the conjugate, at a dose of 3 mg of araAMP/kg, into woodchuck carriers of woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) decreased serum levels of WHV DNA. A dose of 3 mg/kg of unconjugated araAMP was ineffective, while a higher dose of araAMP (15 mg/kg, 14 days) produced a drop in WHV DNA. After cessation of dosing with the conjugate, serum viral DNA levels remained depressed for 42 days. In contrast, after cessation of dosing with araAMP, WHV DNA rapidly returned to original levels.