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Biomedical subjects

P Ruozi

Publications and source records attributed to P Ruozi.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

The effects of the polyene antibiotic mepartricin on polymorphonuclear leucocyte function: an in-vitro study.

Mepartricin, a polyene antibiotic with candidacidal and trichomonicidal activity, was found to be without toxic effects for human polymorphonuclear leucocytes; the drug seems to be unable to enter the human cells. Some synergism between the antifungal activities of mepartricin and of human leucocytes is seen if Candida cells are pre-incubated with sub-lethal concentrations of the drug.

Candida

In vitro antimycoplasmal activity of mepartricin.

The in vitro antimycoplasmal activity of mepartricin was evaluated on several mycoplasma strains. The results demonstrate that this polyene antibiotic possesses a high efficacy against these microorganisms.

Acholeplasma laidlawii

Mepartricin, a polyene active on both Trichomonas and Candida. Lack of mutagenic activity.

Mepartricin, the methyl ester of partricin, is a new polyene antibiotic with antifungal and antiprotozoal activity. The antitrichomonas activity in vitro is comparable to that of metronidazole, the widely used drug recently demonstrated to possess mutagenic activity and thus to be used with caution in therapy. Clinical investigations have shown that mepartricin can be successfully used in the topic treatment of vaginal trichomoniasis and candidiasis. The mutagenic activity of mepartricin has been evaluated using the Ames' test and compared to that of metronidazole. No mutagenic activity was detected for mepartricin. The drug can thus be proposed as a safer and efficient alternative to metronidazole.

Administration, Topical

Changes in the plasma pattern of sex steroids in patients with liver cirrhosis treated with mepartricin.

Mepartricin was given to cirrhotic patients in order to evaluate its effect on the imbalance of sex steroids which is typical of this disorder. Patients were divided into two group: one group received placebo (n = 19) and the other received 150,000 IU/day mepartricin for 30 days (n = 19). The patients were evaluated by separate medical staff who were unaware of the treatment. Mepartricin significantly decreased the plasma concentration of testosterone, oestradiol and prolactin as compared with the values at the start of the trial, while no significant changes were seen in the occurrence of gynaecomastia. No relevant changes were seen in patients receiving the control, except for a slight increase in the peripheral concentration of androstenedione, aldosterone and follicle stimulating hormone.

Aldosterone

Faecal elimination of steroids in rats after oral administration of mepartricin.

Treatment of both male and female rats with 5 IU/day mepartricin for 7-10 days administered by gastric tubing resulted in an increased faecal excretion of some steroids. Mean rate of elimination of total oestrogens was enhanced by 45% in male rats and by 14% in female rats, and the average excretion of conjugated oestrogen was also increased in the female animals. Faecal elimination of cholesterol was 37% and 42% higher in male and female rats, respectively, after mepartricin treatment, and in male rats plasma concentrations of cholesterol were reduced following treatment. It is suggested mepartricin acts either by changing the intestinal flora or by acting directly on the steroid moieties, and it is speculated that a similar mechanism may occur in man.

Administration, Oral

[Clinico-experimental correlation of the hypolipemic effects of mepartricin].

Mepartricin (SPA-S-160) fat-lowering effect was evaluated in several groups of rats, normal or with experimental hyperlipidemia. The substance had a normalizing action on the lipid levels, and in particular on the cholesterol component. These findings, compared to those obtained in preliminary clinical studies, confirm a mechanism of action, common to some other polyenes, selecting as molecular target the interaction with the cholesterol component.

Animals