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Ali E, Alfwuaires M, Badr G. Therapeutic potential of Calotropis gigantea extract against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis: In vitro and in vivo study. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2022. [DOI: 10.4103/2221-1691.345516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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Magalhães TFF, Costa MC, Holanda RA, Ferreira GF, Carvalho VSD, Freitas GJC, Ribeiro NQ, Emídio ECP, Carmo PHF, de Brito CB, de Souza DG, Rocha CEV, Paixão TA, de Resende-Stoianoff MA, Santos DA. N-acetylcysteine reduces amphotericin B deoxycholate nephrotoxicity and improves the outcome of murine cryptococcosis. Med Mycol 2021; 58:835-844. [PMID: 31919505 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myz129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a life-threatening fungal infection, and its current treatment is toxic and subject to resistance. Drug repurposing represents an interesting approach to find drugs to reduce the toxicity of antifungals. In this study, we evaluated the combination of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) with amphotericin B (AMB) for the treatment of cryptococcosis. We examined the effects of NAC on fungal morphophysiology and on the macrophage fungicidal activity 3 and 24 hours post inoculation. The therapeutic effects of NAC combination with AMB were investigated in a murine model with daily treatments regimens. NAC alone reduced the oxidative burst generated by AMB in yeast cells, but did not inhibit fungal growth. The combination NAC + AMB decreased capsule size, zeta potential, superoxide dismutase activity and lipid peroxidation. In macrophage assays, NAC + AMB did not influence the phagocytosis, but induced fungal killing with different levels of oxidative bursts when compared to AMB alone: there was an increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 3 hours and reduced levels after 24 hours. By contrast, ROS remained elevated when AMB was tested alone, demonstrating that NAC reduced AMB oxidative effects without influencing its antifungal activity. Uninfected mice treated with NAC + AMB had lower concentrations of serum creatinine and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase in comparison to AMB. The combination of NAC + AMB was far better than AMB alone in increasing survival and reducing morbidity in murine-induced cryptococcosis, leading to reduced fungal burden in lungs and brain and also lower concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the lungs. In conclusion, NAC + AMB may represent an alternative adjuvant for the treatment of cryptococcosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thais Furtado Ferreira Magalhães
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marliete Carvalho Costa
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Assunção Holanda
- Parasite Biology Laboratory, CEUMA University - Rua dos Castanheiros, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Freitas Ferreira
- Departamento de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora-Campus Governador Valadares, Centro, Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Silva Dutra Carvalho
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Jose Cota Freitas
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Noelly Queiroz Ribeiro
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Elúzia Castro Peres Emídio
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Henrique Fonseca Carmo
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Camila Bernardo de Brito
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniele Glória de Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Cláudia Emanuela Viana Rocha
- Departamento de Patologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Alves Paixão
- Departamento de Patologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Assis Santos
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Abstract
The polyene antifungal amphotericin B (AmB) exerts a powerful and broad activity against a vast array of fungi and in general displays a remarkably low rate of antimicrobial resistance. Aspergillus terreus holds an exceptional position among the Aspergilli due to its intrinsic AmB resistance, in vivo and in vitro. Until now, the underlying mechanisms of polyene resistance were not well understood. This review will highlight the molecular basis of A. terreus and AmB resistance recently gained and will display novel data on the mode of action of AmB. A main focus is set on fundamental stress response pathways covering the heat shock proteins (Hsp) 90/Hsp70 axis, as well as reactive oxygen species detoxifying enzymes in response to AmB. The effect on main cellular functions such as fungal respiration will be addressed in detail and resistance mechanisms will be highlighted. Based on these novel findings we will discuss new molecular targets for alternative options in the treatment of invasive infections due to A. terreus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilfried Posch
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michael Blatzer
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- Medical University of Innsbruck, Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Schöpfstrasse 41, A- 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.,ISHAM Aspergillus terreus Working Group
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Kimura G, Nakaoki T, Nishimoto Y, Suzuki Y, Rapeport G, Strong P, Ito K, Kizawa Y. Effects of intranasally dosed posaconazole on fungal load and biomarkers in Aspergillus fumigatus infected immunocompromised mice. Mycoses 2017; 60:728-735. [PMID: 28699245 DOI: 10.1111/myc.12653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Although anti-fungal triazoles are dosed orally or systemically for Aspergillus fumigatus infection, systemic adverse events and limited exposure of the lung cavity would make a topical treatment for the lung an attractive option. In this study, we examined the effects of intranasally dosed posaconazole on survival rates and biomarkers in A. fumigatus (itraconazole susceptible: ATCC13073 [Af]; or resistant: NCPF7100 [AfR]) infected, temporarily neutropenic A/J mice. Once daily treatment produced a dose-dependent improvement of survival of Af-infected mice (ED50 : 0.019 mg/mouse [approx. 0.755 mg/kg, in]), similar to its potency (ED50 : 0.775 mg/kg, po) after once daily oral dosing. For AfR infection, either intranasal or oral posaconazole was largely ineffective on survival, although the highest dose of intranasal treatment (0.35 mg/mouse) achieved 75% survival rate. Early intervention (treated on days 0, 1, 2 and 3 postinfection) and late intervention (treated on days 1, 2 and 3) with intranasal posaconazole (0.014-0.35 mg/mouse) demonstrated potent inhibition of lung fungal load and galactomannan levels in both bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum as well as inflammatory cells, IFN-γ, IL-17 and malondialdehyde (MDA) in BALF. Thus, posaconazole when dosed intranasally once daily showed an improvement of survival equivalent to or better than oral treatment, and produced potent inhibition of fungal load and biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genki Kimura
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, Nihon University School of Pharmacy, Funabashi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakaoki
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, Nihon University School of Pharmacy, Funabashi, Japan
| | - Yuki Nishimoto
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, Nihon University School of Pharmacy, Funabashi, Japan
| | - Yuto Suzuki
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, Nihon University School of Pharmacy, Funabashi, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Yasuo Kizawa
- Laboratory of Physiology and Anatomy, Nihon University School of Pharmacy, Funabashi, Japan
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Homa M, Galgóczy L, Tóth E, Virágh M, Chandrasekaran M, Vágvölgyi C, Papp T. In vitro susceptibility of Scedosporium isolates to N-acetyl-L-cysteine alone and in combination with conventional antifungal agents. Med Mycol 2016; 54:776-9. [PMID: 27143635 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myw029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, Scedosporium species have been more commonly recognized from severe, difficult-to-treat human infections, such as upper respiratory tract and pulmonary infections. To select an appropriate therapeutic approach for these infections is challenging, because of the commonly observed resistance of the causative agents to several antifungal drugs. Therefore, to find a novel strategy for the treatment of pulmonary Scedosporium infections the in vitro antifungal effect of a mucolytic agent, N-acetyl-L-cysteine and its in vitro combinations with conventional antifungals were investigated. Synergistic and indifferent interactions were registered in 23 and 13 cases, respectively. Antagonism was not revealed between the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónika Homa
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - László Galgóczy
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary Medical University of Innsbruck, Biocenter, Division of Molecular Biology, Innrain 80-82, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Eszter Tóth
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Máté Virágh
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - Muthusamy Chandrasekaran
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Csaba Vágvölgyi
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tamás Papp
- University of Szeged, Faculty of Science and Informatics, Department of Microbiology, Közép fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
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Blatzer M, Jukic E, Posch W, Schöpf B, Binder U, Steger M, Blum G, Hackl H, Gnaiger E, Lass-Flörl C, Wilflingseder D. Amphotericin B Resistance in Aspergillus terreus Is Overpowered by Coapplication of Pro-oxidants. Antioxid Redox Signal 2015; 23:1424-38. [PMID: 26054424 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2014.6220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Invasive fungal infections have significantly increased over the past decades in immunocompromised individuals and high-risk patients. Amphotericin B (AmB) exerts a powerful and broad activity against a vast array of fungi and has a remarkably low rate of microbial resistance. However, most isolates of Aspergillus terreus developed an intrinsic resistance against AmB, and during this study, we characterized the mode of action of this polyene antifungal drug in more detail in resistant (ATR) and rare susceptible (ATS) clinical isolates of A. terreus. RESULTS We illustrate that AmB treatment changes cellular redox status and promotes the generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ATS. In contrast, ATR isolates were able to cope better with AmB-induced oxidative stress. INNOVATION Most importantly, we demonstrate in this study that coapplication of anti- and pro-oxidants significantly affects AmB efficacy in an antithetic manner--antioxidants and ROS-scavenging agents increase AmB tolerance in susceptible strains, while pro-oxidants render formerly resistant isolates considerably susceptible to the antifungal drug also in vivo in a Galleria animal model. CONCLUSION Thereby, our study provides novel therapeutic options to treat formerly resistant fungal strains by a combination of AmB and pro-oxidant compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Blatzer
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Emina Jukic
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wilfried Posch
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bernd Schöpf
- 2 Division of Genetic Epidemiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ulrike Binder
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Marion Steger
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gerhard Blum
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Hubert Hackl
- 3 Division of Bioinformatics, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Erich Gnaiger
- 4 D. Swarovski Research Laboratory, Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Cornelia Lass-Flörl
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Doris Wilflingseder
- 1 Division of Hygiene and Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Innsbruck , Innsbruck, Austria
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Rousseau N, Picot S, Bienvenu AL. Erythropoietin Combined with Liposomal Amphotericin B Improves Outcome during Disseminated Aspergillosis in Mice. Front Immunol 2014; 5:502. [PMID: 25352847 PMCID: PMC4196557 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Disseminated aspergillosis is responsible for a high mortality rate, despite the use of antifungal drugs. Adjuvant therapies are urgently needed to improve the outcome. The aim of this study was to demonstrate that the cytoprotective effect of erythropoietin (EPO) combined with amphotericin B can reduce the mortality rate in a murine model of disseminated aspergillosis. After infection with Aspergillus fumigatus, neutropenic mice were randomized to receive vehicle or 7.5 mg/kg liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) or 7.5 mg/kg LAmB combined with 1000 IU/kg EPO (16 mice per group). Aspergillus galactomannan and organ cultures were performed to evaluate fungal burden at day 5. Cumulative long-term survival was analyzed at day 12 post-infection according to the Kaplan–Meier method. At day 5, fungal burden was similar between non-treated and treated groups. At day 12, mortality rates were 75, 62.5, and 31% in control group, LAmB group, and EPO/LAmB group, respectively. We observed a significant decrease in mortality using EPO/LAmB combination compared to control group (p < 0.01). LAmB single treatment did not improve the survival rate compared to control group (p = 0.155). Our results provide the first evidence that EPO improved the outcome of mice presenting with disseminated aspergillosis when combined with amphotericin B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Rousseau
- Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon , Lyon , France
| | - Stephane Picot
- Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon , Lyon , France ; Malaria Research Unit, ICBMS, CNRS UMR 5246, University Lyon 1 , Lyon , France
| | - Anne-Lise Bienvenu
- Institut de Parasitologie et Mycologie Médicale, Hospices Civils de Lyon , Lyon , France ; Malaria Research Unit, ICBMS, CNRS UMR 5246, University Lyon 1 , Lyon , France
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Fahmy SR, Soliman AM, Ali EM. Antifungal and antihepatotoxic effects of sepia ink extract against oxidative stress as a risk factor of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in neutropenic mice. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 2014; 11:148-59. [PMID: 25371577 PMCID: PMC4202433 DOI: 10.4314/ajtcam.v11i3.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a great need for novel strategies to overcome the high mortality associated with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised patients. To evaluate the antifungal and antihepatotoxic potentials of Sepia ink extract, its effect on liver oxidative stress levels was analyzed against IPA in neutropenic mice using amphotercin B as a reference drug. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eighty neutropenic infected mice were randomly assigned into four main groups. The 1(st) group was treated with saline, neutropenic infected (NI), the 2(nd) group was treated with ink extract (200 mg/kg) (IE) and the 3(rd) group was treated with amphotericin B (150 mg/kg) (AMB) and 4(th) group was treated with IE plus AMB. Treatment was started at 24 h after fungal inoculation (1×10(9) conidia/ml). RESULTS The present study revealed good in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of IE against A. fumigatus. IE significantly reduced hepatic fungal burden and returns liver function and histology to normal levels. Compared with the untreated infected group, mice in the IE, AMB, and IE+ AMB groups had increased glutathione reduced (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels at 24 and 72 h after inoculation with A. fumigatus conidia. CONCLUSION It is then concluded that in combination with antifungal therapy (AMB), IE treatment can reduce hepatic fungal burden, alleviate hepatic granulomatous lesions and oxidative stress associated with IPA in neutropenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohair R Fahmy
- Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Amel M Soliman
- Zoology department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Enas M Ali
- Botany department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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De Vooght V, Smulders S, Haenen S, Belmans J, Opdenakker G, Verbeken E, Nemery B, Hoet PHM, Vanoirbeek JAJ. Neutrophil and eosinophil granulocytes as key players in a mouse model of chemical-induced asthma. Toxicol Sci 2012; 131:406-18. [PMID: 23091170 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfs308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Diisocyanates are an important cause of chemical-induced occupational asthma. This type of immunologically mediated asthma is often characterized by a predominant granulocytic inflammation in the airways, rather than an infiltration by lymphocytes. We sought to determine the contribution of granulocytes in the outcome of chemical-induced asthma using general and specific leukocyte depletion strategies in an established mouse model of isocyanate asthma. On days 1 and 8, BALB/c mice received dermal applications with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) or vehicle (acetone olive oil), followed by two ip injections of cyclophosphamide (CP, days 11 and 13), or one iv injection of antigranulocyte receptor 1 (aGR1, day 13) monoclonal antibody (mAb), or two ip injections of Ly6G-specific mAb (1A8, days 13 and 14). On day 15, the mice were challenged (oropharyngeal administration) with TDI or vehicle. The next day, we assessed methacholine airway hyperreactivity (AHR); bronchoalveolar lavage differential cell count; histopathology and total serum IgE; and auricular lymphocyte subpopulations and release of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-13, and gamma interferon by these lymphocytes. CP depleted all leukocyte types and completely prevented AHR and airway inflammation. aGR1 depleted granulocytes and CD8(+) lymphocytes, which resulted in a partial prevention in AHR but no decrease in airway inflammation. Depletion of Ly6G-positive granulocytes, i.e., both neutrophils and eosinophils, prevented AHR and lung epithelial damage and significantly reduced airway inflammation. Injection of aGR1 or 1A8 led to significantly changed cytokine release patterns in TDI-treated mice. Granulocytes, both neutrophils and eosinophils, are key cellular players in this model of chemical-induced asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa De Vooght
- Occupational, Environmental and Insurance Medicine, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49 Mailbox 706, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Abstract
1. In critically ill patients, Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced pneumonia and the lung injury associated with infection are major causes of mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective properties of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in rats infected with P. aeruginosa and the role of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) protein in this process. 2. Pneumonia was induced in rats by infecting them with P. aeruginosa intratracheally. One group of rats was treated with NAC (150 mg/kg per day, i.p., for 7 days). An untreated group served as the control. Samples were collected both before (0 h) and after infection (24 h). Bacterial loads in lung tissue, the lung wet : dry (W/D) ratio and pulmonary vascular permeability were assessed. Total cell and polymorphonuclear leucocyte cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were determined. The expression of inducible (i) NOS and endothelial (e) NOS protein was analysed and correlated with indices of lung injury using Pearson's correlation analysis. 3. Bacterial load, lung injury indices and NOS expression increased after infection. Pretreatment with NAC mitigated lung injury although it did not significantly change bacterial loads. Furthermore, NAC treatment increased eNOS protein expression, but decreased iNOS expression, in lung tissues after infection. The expression of iNOS protein was positively correlated with indices of lung injury, whereas there was a negative correlation between eNOS expression and lung injury indices. 4. N-Acetylcysteine modulated P. aeruginosa-induced lung injury in rats. The results suggest that this effect maybe due to regulation of iNOS and eNOS protein expression by NAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Fu Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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