title: In vitro effects of meropenem and imipenem/cilastatin on some functions of human natural effector cells.
abstract: Meropenem, a new carbapenem antibiotic, was assessed to evaluate its effects on some functional parameters of human polymorphonuclear (PMN) and natural killer (NK) cells in comparison with imipenem/cilastatin. Both drugs significantly inhibited PMN phagocytosis and chemotaxis at concentrations of 2,000 and 4,000 microg/ml. They affected PMN microbicidal activity, evaluated against Candida albicans, only at 4,000 microg/ml. A study of the effects of both drugs on peripheral NK populations and the human NK line (NK-92) showed that even at 4,000 microg/ml there was no effect on antitumor activity. These data indicate that meropenem can reduce some PMN antimicrobial functions only at very high concentrations like imipenem/cilastatin, whereas no concentration influenced NK activity.
authors.affiliation: General Pathology and Immunology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cornacchione
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scaringi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Capodicasa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fettucciari
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosati
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sabatini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marconi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Favero
mesh_terms: D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D015377:Cilastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000187:drug effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D015378:Imipenem / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020014:K562 Cells; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D000077731:Meropenem; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D013845:Thienamycins; D015377:Cilastatin; D015378:Imipenem; D000077731:Meropenem