Therapeutic efficacy of the magainin analogue MSI-78 in different intra-abdominal sepsis rat models.

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-endotoxin activity of MSI-78, a synthetic cationic peptide analogue of magainin 2.

Methods: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of MSI-78 was investigated against the commercially available quality control strain Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. In addition, three rat models of septic shock were investigated: (i) rats were injected intraperitoneally with 1 mg Escherichia coli 0111:B4 LPS; (ii) rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of 2 x 10(10) cfu of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922; (iii) intra-abdominal sepsis was induced via caecal ligation and puncture.