title: Single-dose intraperitoneal magainins improve survival in a gram-negative-pathogen septic shock rat model.
abstract: The therapeutic efficacies of three polycationic peptides selected among the class of the magainins (magainin I, magainin II, and magainin II amide), alone and combined with piperacillin, were investigated in a rat model of septic shock. Rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) CFU of Escherichia coli and randomized to receive intraperitoneally isotonic sodium chloride solution, 60 mg of piperacillin per kg of body weight, and 1 mg of each magainin per kg alone and combined with 60 mg of piperacillin per kg. The main outcome measures were bacterial growth in abdominal exudate and plasma, endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations in plasma, and lethality. Treatments with the magainins achieved significant reductions of bacterial growth and plasma endotoxin and TNF-alpha concentrations. In general, treatments with the combinations of magainins and piperacillin demonstrated the highest efficacies.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, University of Ancona, Italy. anconacmi@interfree.it
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cirioni
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giacometti
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghiselli
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mocchegiani
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fineo
authors.forename: Fiorenza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Orlando
authors.forename: Maria Simona
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Del Prete
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rocchi
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saba
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scalise
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D054806:Magainins; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010878:Piperacillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D029867:Xenopus Proteins
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D054806:Magainins; D029867:Xenopus Proteins; C053301:magainin 2 peptide, Xenopus; C053300:magainin 1 peptide, Xenopus; D010878:Piperacillin