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Changes in macrophage function during chemotherapy
1Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Folia Biologica
|January 1, 1997
Summary
Antibiotics like penicillin and cefotaxim altered macrophage adherence. Several antibiotics also affected macrophage spreading, indicating potential impacts on host defense mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Antibiotics can modulate host defense mechanisms beyond antimicrobial activity.
- Impaired immune function due to antibiotics can have clinical significance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of specific antibiotics on phagocyte function.
- To assess changes in macrophage adherence and spreading.
- To measure plasma neopterin and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) levels in antibiotic-treated mice.
Main Methods:
- Macrophage adherence and spreading assays were used to evaluate phagocyte function.
- Peritoneal macrophages from mice treated with penicillin G, cefotaxim, ceftazidime, streptomycin, and lincomycin were analyzed.
- Plasma concentrations of neopterin and IFN-γ were measured in treated and control mice.
Main Results:
- Penicillin G and cefotaxim altered peritoneal macrophage adherence after 2 hours.
- Cefotaxim, streptomycin, ceftazidime, and lincomycin affected macrophage spreading capacity.
- All antibiotic treatments increased plasma IFN-γ levels, while neopterin levels generally decreased, except in streptomycin-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- Certain antibiotics can modulate phagocyte functions, potentially impacting host immune responses.
- The observed changes in macrophage function and cytokine profiles warrant further investigation into the clinical implications of antibiotic use on host defense.