Meropenem: effects on human leukocyte functions and interleukin release

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Antimicrobial agents can modulate immune responses.
• Meropenem is a novel carbapenem antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the in vitro effects of meropenem on human polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) and monocytes.
• To assess meropenem's impact on leukocyte viability and immune functions.

Main Methods:

• In vitro incubation of human PMN and monocytes with varying meropenem concentrations.
• Assays for phagocytic activity, superoxide release, Candida albicans killing, chemotaxis, glucose consumption, and cytokine release (IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α).
• Trypan blue exclusion test for leukocyte viability.

Main Results:

• High meropenem concentrations (50-200 μg/ml) reduced neutrophil phagocytosis and superoxide release after 1-2 hours.
• Meropenem did not affect PMN functions like Candida killing, chemotaxis, or glucose consumption.
• Monocyte release of IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 was not impaired, but TNF-α release was reduced at higher concentrations.
• Leukocyte viability remained unaffected even at the highest tested concentrations.

Conclusions:

• Therapeutically relevant concentrations (5-20 μg/ml) of meropenem do not substantially alter human leukocyte viability or function.
• Meropenem exhibits minimal immunomodulatory effects at concentrations typically used in clinical settings.