New evidence for tamoxifen as an antischistosomal agent: in vitro, in vivo and target fishing studies

Author(s):  
Tais C Silva ◽  
Ana C Mengarda ◽  
Bianca C Silva ◽  
Thais S Relvas-Lima ◽  
Vinicius C Rodrigues ◽  
...  

Background: Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Methodology & results: We conducted in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies and report a target fishing investigation. In vitro, tamoxifen was active against adult and immature worms at low concentrations (<5 μM). Tamoxifen at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or once daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) significantly reduced worm burden (30–70%) and egg production (70–90%). Target fishing studies revealed propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target for tamoxifen in Schistosoma  mansoni and glucose uptake by S. mansoni was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results provide news evidence of antiparasitic effect of tamoxifen and reveal propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target.

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael A. Guerra ◽  
Marcos P. Silva ◽  
Tais C. Silva ◽  
Maria C. Salvadori ◽  
Fernanda S. Teixeira ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis is a parasitic flatworm disease that infects over 200 million people worldwide, especially in poor communities. Treatment and control of the disease rely on just one drug, praziquantel. Since funding for drug development for poverty-associated diseases is very limited, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, from a screening of 13 marketed diuretics, we identified that spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, had potent antischistosomal effects on Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of schistosomiasis. In vitro, spironolactone at low concentrations (<10 µM) is able to alter worm motor activity and the morphology of adult schistosomes, leading to parasitic death. In vivo, oral treatment with spironolactone at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either patent or prepatent infections significantly reduced worm burden, egg production, and hepato- and splenomegaly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Taken together, with the safety profile of spironolactone, supported by its potential to affect schistosomes, these results indicate that spironolactone could be a potential treatment for schistosomiasis and make it promising for repurposing.


1997 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Ahmed ◽  
M M París ◽  
M Trujillo ◽  
S M Hickey ◽  
L Wubbel ◽  
...  

In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that the bacteriologic efficacy of once-daily aminoglycoside therapy is equivalent to that achieved with conventional multiple daily dosing. The impact of once-daily dosing for meningitis has not been studied. Using the well-characterized rabbit meningitis model, we compared two regimens of the same daily dosage of gentamicin given either once or in three divided doses for 24 or 72 h. The initial 1 h mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) gentamicin concentration for animals receiving a single dose (2.9 +/- 1.7 micrograms/ml) was threefold higher than that for the animals receiving multiple doses. The rate of bacterial killing in the first 8 h of treatment was significantly greater for the animals with higher concentrations in their CSF (-0.21 +/- 0.19 versus -0.03 +/- 0.22 log10 CFU/ml/h), suggesting concentration-dependent killing. By 24h, the mean reduction in bacterial titers was similar for the two regimens. In animals treated for 72 h, no differences in bactericidal activity was noted for 24, 48, or 72 h. Gentamicin at two different dosages was administered intracisternally to a separate set of animals to achieve considerably higher CSF gentamicin concentrations. In these animals, the rate of bacterial clearance in the first 8 h (0.52 +/- 0.15 and 0.58 +/- 0.15 log10 CFU/ml/h for the lower and higher dosages, respectively) was significantly greater than that in animals treated intravenously. In conclusion, there is evidence of concentration-dependent killing with gentamicin early in treatment for experimental E. coli meningitis, and once-daily dosing therapy appears to be at least as effective as multiple-dose therapy in reducing bacterial counts in CSF.


1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Schliwa

Low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions have been shown to influence microtubule assembly in vitro. To test whether these cations also have an effect on microtubules in vivo, specimens of Actinosphaerium eichhorni were exposed to different concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Experimental degradation and reformation of axopodia were studied by light and electron microscopy. In the presence of Ca++ and the ionophore axopodia gradually shorten, the rate of shortening depending on the concentrations of Ca++ and the ionophore used. Retraction of axopodia was observed with a concentration of Ca++ as low as 0.01 mM. After transfer to a Ca++-free solution containing EGTA, axopodia re-extend; the initial length is reached after about 2 h. Likewise, reformation of axopodia of cold-treated organisms is observed only in solutions of EGTA or Mg++, whereas it is completely inhibited in a Ca++ solution. Electron microscope studies demonstrate degradation of the axonemal microtubular array in organisms treated with Ca++ and A23187. No alteration was observed in organisms treated with Mg++ or EGTA plus ionophore. The results suggest that, in the presence of the ionophore, formation of axonemal microtubules can be regulated by varying the Ca++ concentration in the medium. Since A23187 tends to equilibrate the concentrations of divalent cations between external medium and cell interior, it is likely that microtubule formation invivo is influenced by micromolar concentrations of Ca++. These concentrations are low enough to be of physiological significance for a role in the regulation of microtubule assembly in vivo.


2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Srinivas Mutalik ◽  
Krishnan Manoj ◽  
Meka Sreenivasa Reddy ◽  
Pralhad Kushtagi ◽  
Achutha Nayak Usha ◽  
...  

1963 ◽  
Vol 205 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin Blecher

In vitro studies of the flux of α-aminoisobutyrate-1-C14 (AIB) between rat thymic lymphocytes and extracellular fluid have revealed that: a) the amino acid enters cells but is not further metabolized; b) at low concentrations, similar to those of amino acids in plasma, the net influx and efflux of AIB exhibit properties of an active process; and c) influx of AIB is inhibited, and efflux stimulated, by deoxycorticosterone (DOC), by metabolic inhibitors, and by other specific steroids. In vivo studies of the distribution of AIB between serum and tissue demonstrated that administration of DOC to adrenalectomized rats inhibited concentration of AIB by thymus, diaphragm, and skeletal muscle, augmented uptake by liver, and increased the serum level of AIB. Prior adrenalectomy of donor rats resulted in no change from normal in the in vitro capacity of thymic lymphocytes to take up AIB. There was no significant difference from normal in the in vivo concentration of AIB by thymus, liver, and skeletal muscle of adrenalectomized rats, although uptake by diaphragm was decreased compared to normal control animals.


2009 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. CMT.S38
Author(s):  
A Barney Hawthorne

MMX™ mesalazine is a novel delayed release mesalazine formulation with a high-strength 1.2 g tablet for the treatment of active mild to moderate colitis and maintenance of remission. In vitro and in vivo studies show initiation of drug release in the terminal ileum and caecum with gradual release of 5-ASA as the tablet passes through the colon. Pharmacokinetic data are comparable to other 5-ASA formulations with low systemic absorption and high levels in feces and in mucosal biopsies in the left colon. Clinical trials have shown high rates of clinical and endoscopic remission in active mild to moderate colitis over 8 weeks with a 2.4 g once daily dose. There do not appear to be higher remission rates with the 4.8 g dose. Prolongation of treatment with a further 8 weeks of 2.4 g twice daily can induce remission in those failing the initial 8 weeks of therapy. A maintenance study enrolling patients who achieved remission in the acute studies showed high rates of remission maintained at one year with 1.2 g twice daily (68.5%) and 2.4 g once daily (64.4%) using the strict definition of remission (including mucosal healing) that was used in the active treatment trials. The drug is safe and effective in colitis. The high tablet strength, and once-daily dosage make this formulation a welcome addition to therapy options for patients with colitis.


1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 2258-2261 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Schwank ◽  
J Blaser

Several in vitro and in vivo studies as well as clinical trials have demonstrated that once-daily aminoglycoside regimens are as effective as or more effective than multiple daily dosings. However, the most favorable aminoglycoside dosing regimen for treating enterococcal endocarditis remains controversial. The same total dose of netilmicin was administered as once-daily (24-micrograms/ml peaks) and thrice-daily (8 micrograms/ml) regimens in a pharmacodynamic in vitro model simulating exposure of Enterococcus faecalis to human serum kinetics. Netilmicin was administered in combination with continuous infusions of amoxicillin, vancomycin, or penicillin against a bacterial biofilm adhering to glass beads. No significant differences in bacterial killing were found after 24 or 48 h between the once- and thrice-daily regimens. Additional experiments considering animal kinetics (half-life of netilmicin, 20 min) instead of human kinetics (half-life, 2.5 h) in the pharmacodynamic model also revealed similar results. The addition of netilmicin synergistically increased the activity of vancomycin (P < 0.05). In contrast, amoxicillin alone was as effective as the combination with netilmicin. Thus, it could not be established in this model that once-daily dosing of aminoglycosides is contraindicated for treating infections caused by E. faecalis.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Bratt

<p>The spread of antibiotic resistance and the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is a major threat to public health. This study investigated a unique cytosine rich DNA structure, the i-Motif to deliver soluble Ag+ as a novel antimicrobial agent (AgiMs). AgiMs were evaluated in vitro against P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii strains. AgiMs displayed significant antibacterial activity against both P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii (median MIC: 0.875 µM and 0.75 µM, respectively) by rapid, bactericidal and concentration-dependent effect. Low concentrations of AgiMs showed efficacy against PAO1 20-h biofilms, resulting in 57% reduction in biomass (5 x MIC). A single dose of AgiMs extended survival of G. Mellonella larvae, with the therapeutic benefit paralleled in the reduction of internal bacterial load. Synergistic interactions were observed with the combination of AgiMs and tobramycin, a common antibiotic used to treat P. aeruginosa infections; indicating the potential for AgiMs to reinstate the potency of current antibiotics. This silver-based agent might be an alternative to the failing antibiotic regimes for MDR resistant infections. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are warranted to confirm the therapeutic potential. </p>


2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (6) ◽  
pp. 2304-2310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin B. Yan ◽  
Jessica K. Unthank ◽  
Margie Castillo-Melendez ◽  
Suzanne L. Miller ◽  
Steven J. Langford ◽  
...  

Hydroxyl radical (·OH) is a reactive oxygen species produced during severe hypoxia, asphyxia, or ischemia that can cause cell death resulting in brain damage. Generation of ·OH may occur in the fetal brain during asphyxia in utero. The very short half-life of ·OH requires use of trapping agents such as salicylic acid or phenylalanine for detection, but their hydroxylated derivatives are either unstable, produced endogenously, or difficult to measure in the small volume of microdialysis samples. In the present study, we used terephthalic acid (TA), hydroxylation of which yields a stable and highly fluorometric isomer (excitation, 326 nm; emission, 432 nm). In vitro studies using ·OH generated by the Fenton reaction showed that hydroxylated TA formed quickly (<10 s), was resistant to bleaching (<5% change in fluorescence), and permitted detection of <0.5 pmol ·OH. In vivo studies were performed in fetal sheep using microdialysis probes implanted into the parasagittal cortex. The probe was perfused at 2 μl/min with artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 5 mM TA, and samples were collected every 30 min. Fluorescence measured in 10 μl of dialysate was significantly greater than in the efflux from probes perfused without TA. High-performance liquid chromotography analysis showed that the fluorescence in dialysis samples was entirely due to hydroxylation of TA. Thus this study shows that it is possible to use TA as a trapping agent for detecting low concentrations of ·OH both in vitro and in vivo and that low concentrations of ·OH are present in fetal brain tissue and fluctuate with time.


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