title: Differential cytotoxicity of phospholipid analogues to pathogenic Acanthamoeba species and mammalian cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies have reported the ability of several phospholipid analogues to successfully inhibit the growth of Acanthamoeba species in vitro. This study tests further phospholipid analogues, either as free drug or in liposomal formulations, and unlike previous studies, examines their comparative toxicities to mammalian cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relative cytotoxic activities of the phospholipid derivatives hexadecyl-PC, octadecyl-PC, elaidyl-PC, erucyl-PC and edelfosine, against Acanthamoeba castellanii, Acanthamoeba polyphaga and a rabbit corneal epithelial (RCE) cell line, was determined by the alamarBlue assay. Free and liposomal formulations were compared for hexadecyl-PC and elaidyl-PC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both hexadecyl-PC and octadecyl-PC (IC50 values between 3.9 and 7.8 microM) demonstrated considerable activity against A. castellanii, as did elaidyl-PC (IC50 values between 15.6 and 31.25 microM). Both hexadecyl-PC and elaidyl-PC also proved effective against A. polyphaga (IC50 values between 15.6 and 31.25 and between 31.25 and 62.5 microM, respectively). In contrast, neither erucyl-PC nor edelfosine was inhibitory against either Acanthamoeba species. The growth of RCE cells was inhibited by octadecyl-PC, erucyl-PC and edelfosine (octadecyl-PC and erucyl-PC IC50 values between 7.8 and 15.6 microM and edelfosine IC50 values between 31.25 and 62.5 microM). Liposomal formulations of hexadecyl-PC and elaidyl-PC were less effective than free drug against both Acanthamoeba species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that hexadecyl-PC has the highest therapeutic index and is the most promising for the treatment of acanthamoebiasis.
authors.affiliation: Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 27 Taylor Street, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: Alexander B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mullen
authors.forename: K Christine
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Craig W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D000048:Acanthamoeba / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008081:Liposomes; D010743:Phospholipids