Fig. 1. Increasing doses of racemic benserazide administered to an anemic baboon.

Fetal (γ)-globin mRNA levels relative to baseline in a baboon treated sequentially with racemic (R,S)-benserazide administered at an IV dose and at oral doses and regimens as shown above each peak. Baseline was assessed immediately before each dose regimen, following wash-out periods from the prior regimen. The increases in γ-globin mRNA compared to baseline were observed beginning at 3–4 days after oral dosing began; the maximal increase is noted above each peak. The duration of response is shown in width of each response. The highest peak followed the regimen of 3 mg/kg/dose orally and persisted for 2 weeks.