부산대학교 도서관

The potency of clarithromycin as immunomodulator was assessed in an experimental model of sepsis based on acute pyelonephritis by susceptible Escherichia coli. 55 rabbits were utilized; 5 for preliminary pharmacokinetic study and 50 for treatment. The latter were divided into 5 groups of treatment, A: controls; B: clarithromycin pretreatment; C: amikacin pretreatment; D: clarithromycin treatment on presentation of pulmonary oedema; and E; amikacin treatment on presentation of pulmonary oedema. Survival was recorded; tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated in serum; activities of caspase-3 in monocyte cytosolic extracts were studied; and bacterial counts made in various organs. Median survival of animals of groups A, B, C, D and E was 1.0, 21.0, 12.5, 2.0 and 5.0 d, respectively. TNFα and MDA and monocyte caspase-3 activity of group A increased over time; no increases were detected in groups B and C. Concentrations of MDA and activities of monocytic caspase-3 were decreased after administration of clarithromycin in group D, an effect not occurring in group E. Bacterial load was decreased in renal tissue of group D compared to group A. It is concluded that intravenous clarithromycin might constitute a promising immunomodulator in sepsis even in the advent of pulmonary oedema. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]