methylthiouracil and Sepsis

The screening of bioactive compound libraries can be an effective approach for repositioning FDA-approved drugs or discovering new treatments for human diseases. Inhibition of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and restoration of endothelial integrity are emerging as an attractive therapeutic strategies in the management of severe sepsis or septic shock. Here, we examined the effects of methylthiouracil (MTU), used as antithyroid drug, by monitoring the effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-mediated release of HMGB1, and on the modulation of HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses. The anti-inflammatory activities of MTU were determined by measuring permeability, leukocyte adhesion and migration, and the activation of pro-inflammatory proteins in HMGB1-activated HUVECs and mice. MTU inhibited the release of HMGB1 and downregulated HMGB1-dependent inflammatory responses in human endothelial cells. MTU also inhibited HMGB1-mediated hyperpermeability and leukocyte migration in mice. In addition, treatment with MTU reduced CLP-induced release of HMGB1 and sepsis-related mortality and pulmonary injury. Our results indicate that MTUs could be candidate therapeutic agents for various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via the inhibition of the HMGB1 signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Cell Movement; Disease Models, Animal; HMGB1 Protein; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Lipopolysaccharides; Male; Methylthiouracil; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Sepsis; Signal Transduction

The screening of bioactive compound libraries can be an effective approach for repositioning FDA-approved drugs or discovering new treatments for human diseases. Transforming growth factor β-induced protein (TGFBIp) is an extracellular matrix protein whose expression in several cell types is greatly increased by TGF-β. TGFBIp is released by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and functions as a mediator of experimental sepsis. Here, we investigated the anti-septic effects and underlying mechanisms of methylthiouracil (MTU), used as antithyroid drug, against TGFBIp-mediated septic responses in HUVECs and mice. The anti-inflammatory activities of MTU were determined by measuring permeability, human neutrophils adhesion and migration, and activation of pro-inflammatory proteins in TGFBIp-activated HUVECs and mice. According to the results, MTU effectively inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced release of TGFBIp, and suppressed TGFBIp-mediated septic responses, such as hyperpermeability, adhesion and migration of leukocytes, and expression of cell adhesion molecules. In addition, MTU suppressed CLP-induced sepsis lethality and pulmonary injury. Collectively, these results indicate that MTU could be a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of various severe vascular inflammatory diseases via inhibition of the TGFBIp signaling pathway.

Topics: Animals; Antithyroid Agents; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Humans; Male; Methylthiouracil; Mice; Neutrophils; Sepsis; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Efficacy of kanamycin, ampicillin and their combinations with methyluracyl and pyrogenal in experimental Coli infections was studied. The antibiotics were administered an hour after the infection. Methyluracyl and pyrogenal were used according to 2 schemes. Scheme No. I: the drug is used daily for 7 days in increasing doses, the last dose is administered 24 hours before the infection. Scheme No. 2: the drug is used once at the moment of the infection. The methyluracyl doses were: 0.5, 1.0, 2.5 mg and 5 mg and 5 mg per a mouse during the following 4 days. The pyrrogenal doses were: 5, 10, 15, 25, 30 and 35 minimum pyrogenic doses. 5 mg of methyluracyl and 35 minimum pyrogenic doses of pyrogenal were used according to scheme No. 2. The most pronounced increase in the efficacy of kanamycin, ampicillin and their combination was observed in the animals treated simultaneously with methyluracyl and pyrogenal according to scheme No. 1. The efficacy of kanamycin and ampicillin increased 3 and 2.68 times respectively. ED50 of kanamycin and ampicillin used in combination in the animals treated with methyluracyl and pyrogenal was lowered 4 and 2.9 times respectively as compared to that in the animal groups treated only with the antibiotic combination and 21 and 15.2 times respectively when the antibiotics were used alone. Sanation of the animal organs was also rather successful. A single administration of methyluracyl and pyrogenal simultaneously with the infection (scheme No. 2) had a lower effect on the efficacy.

Topics: Ampicillin; Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Drug Therapy, Combination; Escherichia coli Infections; Kanamycin; Methylthiouracil; Mice; Pyrogens; Sepsis

Topics: Agranulocytosis; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzene; Chlorpromazine; Methylthiouracil; Phenothiazines; Phenylbutazone; Promazine; Sepsis; Toxicology