BACKGROUNDTo evaluate the inhibitive effect of combination of 3TC with Ara-AMP against HBV in vitro.

METHODSUsed 2.2.15 cell as target cell. With radioimmunological technique and blot slot, the inhibitive effect of 3TC, Ara-AMP and the combination of both against the HBsAg, HBeAg and intracellular HBV DNA were investigated.

RESULTSThe inhibitive ratio of Ara-AMP against HBsAg, HBeAg was 45.48% and 41.46% respectively when its concentration was 400.0 microgram/ml. Although 3TC also has inhibitive effect in its experimental concentration, its effect is weaker. When Ara-AMP 50.0 microgram/ml was combined with 3TC 1.25 and 5.00 microgram/ml respectively, the inhibitive ratio against HBsAg were 19.92% and 17.32% respectively. Compared with using same concentration 3TC alone, the difference of results was significant (P<0.05). But when compared with using the same concentration Ara-AMP alone, the difference of results had no statistical significance (P <0.05). Remarkable inhibitive effects of combination of 3TC with Ara-AMP against HBeAg were n ot found. When 3TC 5.00 microgram/ml was combined with Ara-AMP 12.5 and 50.0 microgram/ml respectively, the inhibitive ratio against HBV DNA was 45.90% and 50.36% respectively. Comparing the content of HBV DNA in these groups with that of control group and the groups using the same concentration 3TC and Ara-AMP alone, the differences were significant (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCombination of 3TC with Ara-AMP could enhance the inhibitive effects against HBV DNA.