Shortened derivatives from native antimicrobial peptide LyeTx I: In vitro and in vivo biological activity assessment.

In the continuing search for novel antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides are promising molecules, due to different mechanisms of action compared to classic antibiotics and to their selectivity for interaction with microorganism cells rather than with mammalian cells. Previously, our research group has isolated the antimicrobial peptide LyeTx I from the venom of the spider Lycosa erythrognatha. Here, we proposed to synthesize three novel shortened derivatives from LyeTx I (LyeTx I mn; LyeTx I mnΔK; LyeTx I mnΔKAc) and to evaluate their toxicity and biological activity as potential antimicrobial agents. Peptides were synthetized by Fmoc strategy and circular dichroism analysis was performed, showing that the three novel shortened derivatives may present membranolytic activity, like the original LyeTx I, once they folded as an alpha helix in 2.2.2-trifluorethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate. In vitro assays revealed that the shortened derivative LyeTx I mnΔK presents the best score between antimicrobial (↓ MIC) and hemolytic (↑ EC50) activities among the synthetized shortened derivatives, and LUHMES cell-based NeuriTox test showed that it is less neurotoxic than the original LyeTx I (EC50 [LyeTx I mnΔK] ⋙ EC50 [LyeTx I]). In vivo data, obtained in a mouse model of septic arthritis induced by Staphylococcus aureus, showed that LyeTx I mnΔK is able to reduce infection, as demonstrated by bacterial recovery assay (∼10-fold reduction) and scintigraphic imaging (less technetium-99m labeled-Ceftizoxime uptake by infectious site). Infection reduction led to inflammatory process and pain decreases, as shown by immune cells recruitment reduction and threshold nociception increment, when compared to positive control group. Therefore, among the three shortened peptide derivatives, LyeTx I mnΔK is the best candidate as antimicrobial agent, due to its smaller amino acid sequence and toxicity, and its greater biological activity.

Assessment of bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice using Tc-99m Escherichia coli

In obstructive jaundice, the passage of bacteria and endotoxins through the intestine wall to reach the systemic circulation is associated with septicemia, renal failure and pulmonary dysfunction. The aim of this work was to investigate bacterial translocation utilizing 99mTc-E.coli in an experimental model of obstructive jaundice. The levels of bilirubin in rats that were subjected to ligature of the bile duct were significantly increased when compared to control animals (p < 0.001). The biodistribution results did not show any translocation of 99mTc-E.coli to the mesenteric lymphatic nodules, liver, spleen or lungs of the rats that suffered ligature of the bile duct (p > 0.05). The evaluation of the intestinal permeability using "per os" administration of 99mTc-DTPA showed 1.61 ± 0.57 percent and 1.39 ± 0.72 percent of radioactivity in the urine of the control and jaundice animals, respectively. The histological analysis of the distal wall of the ileum showed that the covering epithelium and the crypt were morphologically preserved in both groups. The seven-day period after the ligature of the bile duct may not have been long enough to promote modifications in intestinal wall to occur so as to permit the passage of Tc-99m E.coli.

Na icterícia obstrutiva, a passagem de bactérias e endotoxinas através da parede intestinal alcançando a circulação sistêmica está associada com septicemia, falência renal e disfunção pulmonar. A proposta deste trabalho foi investigar a translocação bacteriana, empregando a Tc-99m E.coli, em um modelo experimental de icterícia obstrutiva. Os níveis de bilirrubina nos ratos que sofreram a ligadura do ducto biliar estavam significativamente aumentados quando comparados com os valores dos animais controles (p<0,001). Os resultados de biodistribuição não mostraram translocação da Tc-99m E.coli para os nódulos linfáticos mesentéricos, fígado, baço e pulmões dos ratos que sofreram ligadura do ducto biliar (p>0,05). A avaliação da permeabilidade intestinal usando a administração "per os" de 99mTc-DTPA mostrou um percentual de eliminação deste radiofármaco na urina de 1,61±0,57 e 1,39±0,72 para os animais controles e ictéricos, respectivamente. A análise histológica da parede distal do íleo mostrou que tanto o epitélio de revestimento quanto as criptas apresentaram morfologicamente conservados em ambos os grupos. O tempo transcorrido, 7 dias, após a ligadura do ducto biliar talvez não tenha sido longo o suficiente para promover modificações na parede intestinal de modo a permitir a passagem da 99mTc-E.coli.