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Effects of cefmetazol, cefoxitin and imipenem on polymorphonuclear leukocytes

A B Rodriguez1, J Pariente, J Prieto

  • 1Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain.

General Pharmacology
|January 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Three antibiotics, Cefmetazol, Cefoxitin, and Imipenem, enhance human neutrophil functions like adherence and chemotaxis. These immune cells also show improved ability to combat Candida albicans infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Neutrophils are critical immune cells involved in combating infections.
  • Antibiotics can influence immune cell functions beyond their antimicrobial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro effects of Cefmetazol, Cefoxitin, and Imipenem on human polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) functions.
  • To assess the impact of these antibiotics on neutrophil chemotaxis, mobility, adherence, phagocytosis, and candidacidal activity.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro analysis of human PMNs exposed to varying concentrations of Cefmetazol, Cefoxitin, and Imipenem.
  • Evaluation of neutrophil adherence to nylon fiber.
  • Assessment of neutrophil chemotaxis and spontaneous mobility.
  • Measurement of phagocytosis and candidacidal power against Candida albicans.

Main Results:

  • All three antibiotics significantly stimulated neutrophil adherence at therapeutic and supra-therapeutic doses.
  • Cefmetazol, Cefoxitin, and Imipenem increased neutrophil chemotaxis at therapeutic doses.
  • Spontaneous neutrophil mobility decreased across all tested doses.
  • Cefmetazol enhanced PMN phagocytosis and lysis of Candida albicans, while Cefoxitin increased Candida lysis.

Conclusions:

  • Cefmetazol, Cefoxitin, and Imipenem modulate human neutrophil functions in vitro, generally enhancing immune responses.
  • These antibiotics may possess immunomodulatory properties that could influence their clinical efficacy, particularly in combating fungal infections.

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