Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is strongly aggravating the injury at brain inflammation, resulting in persistent neurological and psychiatric malfunctions. There is no efficient pharmacological treatment to achieve beneficial ICP reduction. Here, the peptide AF-16, comprising the amino terminal part of the endogenous protein Antisecretory Factor (AF), was used to suppress the raised ICP in experimental herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) in rats. Intranasal instillation of the peptide AF-16 counteracted the ICP elevation and the prevalence of ICP spikes, abrogated the neurological morbidity, and abolished the mortality in a dose-dependent manner. AF-16, 25 mug twice daily intranasally, rescued all animals with HSE and abrogated neurological malfunction. In contrast, only 10% of the rats survived if treated with the vehicle. A single intranasal dose of 25 mug AF-16 to a rat displaying overt HSE symptoms reduced the ICP to normal levels within an hour. No effects on viral replication or antigen distribution were demonstrable. Thus, AF-16 abolished the prevalence of sickness signs, ICP elevation, neurological malfunctions and completely prevented deaths. We advocate use of AF-16 for suppression of elevated ICP.

Jennische E, Bergström T, Johansson M, et al. The peptide AF-16 abolishes sickness and death at experimental encephalitis by reducing increase of intracranial pressure. Brain Res. 2008;1227:189-97.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the endogenous protein anti-secretory factor (ASF) on the symptoms, especially loose stools, in irritable bowel ayndrome (IBS).
DESIGN: A diet with specially processed cereals (SPC) known to induce ASF production was used in patients with IBS, in an eight-week randomized, placebo-controlled study.
SUBJECTS: Eighty-two patients with IBS were randomized to a diet with either SPC or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The overall clinical condition and the quality of life were measured by VAS and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. The plasma levels of ASF were determined in 14 patients with dominating loose stools before and after diet.
RESULTS: All patients significantly (p <0.001) improved in IBS-related symptoms irrespective of active or placebo diet. In an active-diet sub-group with diarrhoea (n=11) there was a significant (p<0.05) correlation between the increase of plasma ASF level and the improvement on the VAS.
CONCLUSION: Both study groups improved significantly on the VAS but no additive effect was seen for the active treatment. In the sub-group with loose stools, the SPC diet induced ASF plasma levels in IBS patients and was correlated to significant symptom improvement in the individual patient.

Ekesbo R, Nilsson PM, Sjölund K. Effects of anti-secretory factor (ASF) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A double-blind, randomized study. Scand J Prim Health Care. 2008;26(2):106-10.