RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of the present study was to develop the basis for the use of surfactants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Bacteria are surrounded by a thick lipid coat primarily consisting of trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and, consequently, are well shielded from the immune system's response and antibiotics. This protective barrier was removed by exposing the bacteria to certain surfactants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dodecyl maltoside (DDM) and octyl glucoside (OG) were utilized as non-toxic surfactants. RESULTS: Electron microscopy (EM) studies revealed that aggregated bacteria were also covered with excessive TDM which exacerbate the treatment efforts. Light and EM studies demonstrated that DDM and OG disperse the aggregated bacteria and are bactericidal. CONCLUSION: The studies presented here establish that certain surfactants are proficient in removing MTB's shield and, because they are well known as cell permeabilizing agents, they may also enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics and the immune system's response in the treatment of pulmonary TB.
Assuntos
Galactosídeos/farmacologia , Glucosídeos/farmacologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/efeitos dos fármacos , Tensoativos/farmacologia , Tuberculose Pulmonar/tratamento farmacológico , Aerossóis , Animais , Fatores Corda/metabolismo , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Feminino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microscopia Eletrônica , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/ultraestrutura , Polissorbatos/farmacologia , Tuberculose Pulmonar/imunologiaRESUMO
Cystic fibrosis (CF) results in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with progressive increases in areas of the lung with poor gas exchange (dead space). The pulmonary response to exercise is characterized by a higher than expected minute ventilation (VÌE). In some patients the elevated VÌEis inadequate to overcome the large dead space, resulting in decreases in arterial oxygen and/or increases in arterial carbon dioxide levels during exercise. Chronic lung hyperinflation in patients with severe disease limits the ability to increase tidal volume, and therefore VÌE, during exercise. Most patients can exercise without decreases in arterial oxygen and should be encouraged to participate in regular activity. Oxygen supplementation during exercise allows many patients with severe lung dysfunction to participate in some form of activity. Regular exercise has been shown to be of some benefit and should be encouraged on an individual basis in patients with CF.