cecropin-b-protein--insecta and Shock--Septic

To investigate the efficacy of imipenem, piperacillin combined with cecropin B in the prevention of lethality in 2 rat models of septic shock. Main outcome measures were bacterial growth in blood and intra-abdominal fluid, endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations in plasma, and lethality.. Sepsis remains a serious clinical problem despite intense efforts to improve survival. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. The primary cause of Gram-negative shock results from activation of host effector cells by endotoxin, the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) associated with cell membranes of Gram-negative bacteria.. Adult male Wistar rats were given (1). an intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg of Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS or (2). 2 x 1010 CFU of E. coli ATCC 25922. All animals were randomized to receive intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1 mg/kg cecropin B, 20 mg/kg imipenem, and 120 mg/kg piperacillin alone and combined with 1 mg/kg cecropin B. Each group included 20 animals. RESULTS All compounds reduced the lethality when compared with controls. Piperacillin and imipenem significantly reduced the lethality and the number of E. coli in abdominal fluid compared with saline treatment. On the other hand, each betalactam determined an increase of plasma endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentration. Combination between cecropin B and betalactams showed to be the most effective treatment in reducing all variables measured.. Cecropin B enhances betalactams activities in Gram-negative sepic shock rat models.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Endotoxins; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Infections; Imipenem; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Insect Proteins; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Piperacillin; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Shock, Septic

To investigate the efficacy of three cecropins, cecropin A, cecropin B, and cecropin P1, in preventing lethality in a rat model of septic shock.. Prospective, randomized, controlled animal study.. Research laboratory in a university hospital.. Adult male Wistar rats.. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) colony forming units of Escherichia coli, with the exception of the uninfected control group (C0). Animals were randomized to receive, immediately after bacterial challenge, intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution (untreated control group C1), 1 mg/kg cecropin A (group 2), 1 mg/kg cecropin B (group 3), 1 mg/kg cecropin P1 (group 4), 20 mg/kg imipenem (group 5), or 60 mg/kg piperacillin (group 6). Each group included 15 animals.. We measured bacterial growth (quantitative agar culture) in abdominal exudate and plasma, endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentration in plasma, and mortality. Results were evaluated at 48 hrs after inoculation. Cecropins, piperacillin, and imipenem significantly reduced the lethality and the number of E. coli in abdominal fluid compared with saline treatment. In addition, cecropin B significantly decreased the lethality compared with piperacillin treatment. Finally, only cecropins significantly reduced plasma endotoxin concentration.. Mono-dose cecropin treatment prevents bacterial growth, endotoxemia, and mortality in rats with septic shock. Cecropin B was the most effective compound in reducing all variables measured.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; Escherichia coli; Injections, Intraperitoneal; Insect Proteins; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Peptides; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Shock, Septic