Sodium hypochlorite is more effective than 70% ethanol against biofilms of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

INTRODUCTION: Although disinfectants are used for eradication of bacteria from environmental surfaces, their antibiofilm efficacy is often not considered in determining the choice of disinfectant. AIM: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of 2 commonly used disinfectants, sodium hypochlorite and ethanol, against the planktonic and biofilm state of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Effect of 0.6% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol was determined on the planktonic and biofilm states of 10 strong and weak biofilm formers through estimation of changes in colony forming unit counts and absorbance values. The morphologic changes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Significant difference in the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite and ethanol was observed against the biofilm (P = .004) as well as planktonic (P = .000) states of S aureus. However, no significant difference was observed in their activity against strong and weak biofilm formers. On electron microscopy, sodium hypochlorite was found to induce significant formation of craters and irregular depressions on the surface of strong biofilm formers. CONCLUSIONS: Sodium hypochlorite demonstrated superior efficacy in controlling both planktonic and biofilm states of growth in S aureus. Furthermore, the characteristic morphologic changes observed in strong biofilm formers hint at its biofilm-specific activity.

Effect of multidose cilostazol on pharmacokinetic and lipid profile of atorvastatin in male Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVES: Atorvastatin (ATV) and cilostazol (CLZ) are often co-prescribed to treat conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. In the present study, the drug-drug interaction potential of multi-dose CLZ on both pharmacokinetics and the lipid-lowering ability of single-dose ATV is demonstrated. METHOD: The pharmacokinetic parameters of ATV were determined in Wistar rats after per-oral pre-treatment with CLZ for 7 days in order to assess the interaction potential between ATV and CLZ. In-vitro metabolic inhibition and everted gut sac studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of this interaction. Biochemistry analyser was used to estimate lipid profiles in Wistar rats. A validated LC-MS/MS method was employed to simultaneously quantify both ATV and CLZ in rat plasma matrix. KEY FINDINGS: A statistically significant increase in systemic exposure to ATV after a single dose was observed in CLZ pre-treated rats. In-vitro metabolism studies using rat liver microsome (RLM) demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of ATV metabolism when co-incubated with CLZ. No change in apparent permeability of ATV was observed in the presence of CLZ. The blood lipid profile study after ATV administration indicated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Multi-dose administration of CLZ influences the pharmacokinetics and lipid-lowering properties of ATV. Collectively, an apparent interaction between selected drugs was evident.

Drug-drug interaction study to assess the effects of atorvastatin co-administration on pharmacokinetics and anti-thrombotic properties of cilostazol in male Wistar rats.

Cilostazol (CLZ) and atorvastatin (ATV) are often co-prescribed to treat conditions such as peripheral arterial disease. In the present study, the drug-drug interaction potential of multi-dose ATV co-administration with CLZ on both pharmacokinetics and the anti-thrombotic property of CLZ is demonstrated. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CLZ (6 mg/kg, twice daily) were determined in male Wistar rats after 7 days co-administration with ATV (5 mg/kg, once daily) in order to assess the interaction potential between CLZ and ATV on chronic treatment. In vitro metabolic inhibition and everted gut sac studies were conducted to elucidate the mechanism of this interaction. Pharmacodynamic drug-drug interaction was evaluated on anti-thrombotic models including time to occlusion, platelet aggregation and rat tail bleeding time. A validated LC-MS/MS method was employed simultaneously to quantify both ATV and CLZ in rat plasma matrix. A statistically significant increase in systemic exposure (Css(max) by ~1.75 fold; AUC by ~3.0 fold) to CLZ was observed in ATV pre-treated rats. In vitro metabolism studies using liver microsomes (RLM and HLM) demonstrated statistically significant inhibition of CLZ metabolism when co-incubated with ATV. No change in apparent permeability of CLZ was observed in the presence of ATV. Atorvastatin showed a significant delay in artery occlusion time without altering CLZ's bleeding time and platelet aggregation profile. Collectively the results of these studies provide metabolic insight into the nature of drug-drug interaction between the selected drugs. Co-administration with ATV influences the pharmacokinetics and anti-thrombotic property of CLZ. A thorough clinical investigation is required before extrapolation of data to humans.