Antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection with Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans in dexamethasone-immunosuppressed Swiss mice
AUTOR(ES)
Medeiros, C.S., Pontes-Filho, N.T., Camara, C.A., Lima-Filho, J.V., Oliveira, P.C., Lemos, S.A., Leal, A.F.G., Brandão, J.O.C., Neves, R.P.
FONTE
Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO
2010-04
RESUMO
The in vivo antifungal activity of the naphthoquinone beta-lapachone against disseminated infection by Cryptococcus neoformans was investigated. Swiss mice were immunosuppressed daily with dexamethasone (0.5 mg per mouse) intraperitoneally for 3 days, the procedure was repeated 4 days later, and the animals were then challenged intravenously with C. neoformans (10(6) CFU/mL) 1 week later. Seven days after infection, the mice were divided into groups and treated daily with beta-lapachone (10 mg/kg, iv) for 7 (N = 6) and 14 days (N = 10). Amphotericin B (0.5 mg/kg) was used as comparator drug and an additional group received PBS. Treatment with beta-lapachone cleared the yeast from the spleen and liver, and the fungal burden decreased approximately 10(4) times in the lungs and brain 14 days after infection when compared to the PBS group (P < 0.05). This result was similar to that of the amphotericin B-treated group. Protection was suggestively due to in vivo antifungal activity of this drug and apparently not influenced by activation of the immune response, due to similar leukocyte cell counts among all groups. This study highlights the prospective use of beta-lapachone for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis.
Documentos Relacionados
- INFECTION OF WHITE SWISS MICE WITH AIRBORNE CRYPTOCOCCUS NEOFORMANS
- Biochemical comparison of the Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans and Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii.
- In vitro evaluation of combination of fluconazole and flucytosine against Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans.
- Antifungal efficacy of amphotericin B encapsulated fibrin microsphere for treating Cryptococcus neoformans infection in Swiss albino mice
- Prevalence of Cryptococcus neoformans var. neoformans (Serotype D) and Cryptococcus neoformans var. grubii (Serotype A) Isolates in New York City