A comparison of three rapid and accurate bioluminescent antibiotic susceptibility tests.

Introduction: Rapid determination of microorganisms' antibiotic susceptibility remains a great challenge for the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases. In this study, we compare three rapid bioluminescent antibiotic susceptibility tests with the conventional normalised microdilution method.

Methods: The susceptibility of two bacterial and two fungal strains to a 6h incubation with one of eight standard antibiotics was investigated by the ATP, AK and QNO bioluminescent methods.

Antimicrobial activities of 3-amino- and polyaminosterol analogues of squalamine and trodusquemine.

A series of 3-amino- and polyaminosterol analogues of squalamine and trodusquemine were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against human pathogens. The activity was highly dependent on the structure of the different compounds involved and the best results were obtained with aminosterol derivatives 4b, 4e, 8b, 8e and 8n exhibiting minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against yeasts, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at average concentrations of 3.12-12.

Squalamine: an appropriate strategy against the emergence of multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria?

We reported that squalamine is a membrane-active molecule that targets the membrane integrity as demonstrated by the ATP release and dye entry. In this context, its activity may depend on the membrane lipid composition. This molecule shows a preserved activity against bacterial pathogens presenting a noticeable multi-resistance phenotype against antibiotics such as polymyxin B.

New stereoselective titanium reductive amination synthesis of 3-amino and polyaminosterol derivatives possessing antimicrobial activities.

A series of 3-amino and polyaminosterol analogues of squalamine and trodusquemine were synthesized involving a new stereoselective titanium reductive amination reaction in high chemical yields of up to 95% in numerous cases. These derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against human pathogens. Activity was highly dependent on the different compounds' structures involved and best results have been obtained with aminosterol derivatives 4b, 4e and 6i exhibiting activities against yeasts, Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at average concentrations of 6.

Synthesis of oxysterols and nitrogenous sterols with antileishmanial and trypanocidal activities.

Two sterol families have been synthesized: the first one is nitrogenous sterols containing amino, N-hydroxyimino or cyano group and the second one is oxysterols such as ketosterol and hydroxysterols. These compounds were then evaluated in vitro against Leishmania donovani promastigotes and Trypanosoma brucei brucei trypomastigotes. The most active compounds against L.

Synthesis and antifungal activity of oxygenated cholesterol derivatives.

A series of oxygenated cholesterol derivatives were prepared from new synthetic methods and evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against human pathogens. The activity was highly dependent on the structure of the different compounds involved. The best results were obtained with hydroxy ketones 2, 4 and 5 and diketone 7 exhibiting activities against S.

Squalamine: a polyvalent drug of the future?

The purpose of this mini-review is to summarize and highlight the different advances in our understanding of the antimicrobial and antiangiogenic activity of squalamine, a cationic steroid isolated in 1993 from the dogfish shark Squalus Acanthias. Indeed, squalamine has shown to be useful for the treatment of important diseases such as cancers (lung, ovarian, brain and others), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and the control of body weight in man. All these results led to a question: could we consider squalamine as a polyvalent drug of the future?

Synthesis and antifungal activity of cholesterol-hydrazone derivatives.

A series of hydrazones synthesized from various cholesterol derivatives were evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial properties against human pathogens. The activity was highly dependent on the structure of the different compounds involved. The best results have been obtained with tosylhydrazone cholesterol derivatives 8 and 9 exhibiting activities against Candida albicans (CIP 1663-80) at a concentration of 1.

A new omega-conotoxin that targets N-type voltage-sensitive calcium channels with unusual specificity.

A new specific voltage-sensitive calcium channel (VSCC) blocker has been isolated from the venom of the fish-hunting cone snail Conus consors. This peptide, named omega-Ctx CNVIIA, consists of 27 amino acid residues folded by 3 disulfide bridges. Interestingly, loop 4, which is supposed to be crucial for selectivity, shows an unusual sequence (SSSKGR).

Stereoselective synthesis of 7 alpha- and 7 beta-aminocholestanol as potent fungicidal drugs.

Potentially lymphotropic 7 alpha- and 7 beta-aminocholestanol were stereoselectively synthesized. In vitro bioassay studies have shown that these fungicidal lipidic derivatives possess strong antifungal activity against Candida spp resistant strains to amphotericin B, 5-fluorocytosine and azoles.

Cell binding, uptake and cytosolic partition of HIV anti-gag phosphodiester oligonucleotides 3'-linked to cholesterol derivatives in macrophages.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cell interactions of a new class of compounds composed of phosphodiester oligonucleotides linked to the cholesterol group at position 3, 7, or 22 of the steroid structure. The resulting conjugates were assessed for their capacity to bind, penetrate and partition in the cytoplasmic compartment of murine macrophages. The results showed that lipophilic conjugates bind to cells much faster (t(1/2) < or = 10 min) than do underivatized oligomers.

A new conotoxin isolated from Conus consors venom acting selectively on axons and motor nerve terminals through a Na+-dependent mechanism.

A novel conotoxin was isolated and characterized from the venom of the fish-hunting marine snail Conus consors. The peptide was identified by screening chromatography fractions of the crude venom that produced a marked contraction and extension of the caudal and dorsal fins in fish, and noticeable spontaneous contractions of isolated frog neuromuscular preparations. The peptide, named CcTX, had 30 amino acids and the following scaffold: X11CCX7CX2CXCX3C.

The strategy used by some piscivorous cone snails to capture their prey: the effects of their venoms on vertebrates and on isolated neuromuscular preparations.

Three piscivorous Conus species, C. ermineus, C. consor and C.

Synthesis of 25-aminosterols, new antifungal agents.

25-aminolanostenol 1 and 25-aminocholesterol 2 were hemisynthesized from natural sterols and tested in vitro against Candida albicans. The biological activity of compound 1 was rather weak, whereas 2 exhibited in vitro antifungal activity with MIC value of 4 microM.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of aminosterols: activity studies on a non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6).

Various new aminosterols were synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of these compounds (I-IV) was studied in vitro on a continuous human non small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma line (NSCLC-N6) at the cell cycle level. The histograms indicate cell blockage in Phase Gl (compound I-III) associated with a reduction in the number of cells phases S and G2M and appearance of cellular debris derived from cells in Phase G1.

Antifungal metabolites from the marine sponge Pachastrissa sp.: new bengamide and bengazole derivatives.

This paper reports the studies of components of an undescribed sponge in the genus Pachastrissa sp., collected along the Djibouti coast. The extract showed activity against Candida albicans.

Biochemical characterization and nuclear magnetic resonance structure of novel alpha-conotoxins isolated from the venom of Conus consors.

Two novel alpha-conotoxins were purified and characterized from the venom of the fish-hunting cone snail Conus consors. These peptides were identified by screening HPLC fractions of the crude venom and by binding experiments with Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. The toxins named alpha-CnIA and alpha-CnIB exhibited sequences of 14 and 12 amino acids, respectively.

Synthesis of 6(alpha, beta)-aminocholestanols as ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors.

delta 7-5-Desaturase catalyses one of the last steps in ergosterol biosynthesis in fungi. Moreover delta 5-unsaturation is necessary for the sparking function. Synthesis of three pairs of C-6 epimeric cholestanol derivatives are described as potential growth inhibitors.

A new strong inhibitor of beta-mannosidase.

N-phenyl-carbamate of D-mannonohydroxymolactone (I) was synthesized from mannose and was shown to be the best competitive inhibitor of beta-mannosidase so far reported (Ki = 25 nM).

Studies on lipidomimetic derivatives of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) to enhance the bioavailability in a Trypanosoma B. brucei murine trypanosomiasis model.

DFMO, a trypanostatic drug, presents a satisfactory intestinal absorption but its elimination from the blood is rapid so that high doses are necessary to obtain to therapeutic effect. In this study, we propose a strategy to enhance the bioavailability of DFMO by using lipidomimetic derivatives. Three lipidomimetic DFMO derivatives called O-DFMO, S-DFMO and Chol-DFMO were designed to reach easily the plasma and to be cleaved preferentially by plasma esterases progressively liberating free DFMO.

Secreted and intracellular phospholipases A2 inhibition by 1-decyl 2-octyl-glycerophosphocholine in rat peritoneal macrophages.

Compounds able to inhibit phospholipases A2 can be considered as potential anti-inflammatory drugs. In this respect, the inhibitory effect of the phospholipid analogue 1-decyl 2-octyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (decyloctyl-GPC) added to the culture medium of rat peritoneal macrophages stimulated with ionophore A23187 was determined. (a) The substrate of phospholipase A2 1-octadecanoyl 2-[14C]eicosatetraenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine ([14C]20:4-GPC) was added to the culture medium.

High rate of intestinal absorption of the phospholipid anlaogue 1-dodecyl 2-[1-14C] octanamido-sn-2-deoxy-glycero-3-phosphocholine in the rat.

The phospholipid analogue with two short fatty chains, 1-dodecyl-2-[1-14C] octanamido-sn-2-deoxy-glycero-3-phosphocholine ([14C] phospholipid analogue), with a non-hydrolyzable bond at position 2 of the glycerol, is an inhibitor of phospholipase A2. It was obtained after chemical synthesis and 0.5 micromol was solubilized in Na+ taurocholate with an equimolar amount of 1-octadecanoyl 2-[3H]eicosatetraenoyl-sn- glycero-3-phosphocholine which is the current substrate of phospholipases A2.

Uptake of the phospholipase A2 inhibitor 1-dodecyl 2-[1-14C] octanamido-sn-2-deoxy glycero-3-phosphocholine by peritoneal macrophages.

The [14C] phospholipid analogue 1-dodecyl-2-[1-14C] octanamido-sn-2-deoxy glycero-3-phosphocholine was synthetized. With 2 short fatty chains linked by alkyl and amido bonds to positions 1 and 2 of the glycerophosphate backbone, it was an inhibitor of phospholipase A2 in ionophore A23187-stimulated macrophages. Its uptake by rat peritoneal macrophages and its resistance towards phospholipases A2 were determined at nanomolar or micromolar concentrations in the culture medium.

Lymphotropic antifilarial agents derived from closantel and chlorambucil.

New closantel and chlorambucil prodrugs expected to accumulate in the lymphatic system were evaluated on the filaria Molinema dessetae. The prodrugs of closantel had a delayed effect in vitro on the infective larvae compared to the free drug. The closantel prodrugs were less toxic in vivo than closantel itself.

Structure-activity of three phospholipid analogues towards inhibition of phospholipase A2 in macrophages.

At concentrations 1-20 microns in culture medium of rat peritoneal macrophages which were stimulated with ionophore A23187, the phospholipid analogues 1-decyl-2-octyl-glycerophosphocholine and 1-dodecyl-2-octanamido-2-deoxy glycerophosphocholine were found more potent inhibitors than 1-octyl-2-deoxy glycerophosphocholine to lower the phospholipase A2 activities. The inhibitory effect was measured by [3H] eicosatetraenoic acid ([3H]20:4) release in macrophages and extracellular fluids and synthesis of [3H] eicosanoids after incubation of macrophages with traces of the molecular species of lecithin 1-octadecanoyl-2-[3H] eicosatetraenoyl glycerophosphocholine. The three phospholipid analogues developed higher inhibitory effects than mepacrine, dexamethasone or bromophenacyl bromide, at corresponding concentrations in medium.