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. All animals were randomized to receive after 360 min intravenously isotonic sodium chloride solution, 1 mg/kg MSI-78, or 60 mg/kg piperacillin. Main outcome measures were: abdominal exudate and plasma bacterial growth, plasma endotoxin and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) concentrations, and lethality.

RESULTS: Our in vitro data showed that MSI-78 possesses a strong activity against Escherichia coli. The in vivo studies showed that all compounds reduced the lethality when compared to controls. MSI-78 showed a slightly higher antimicrobial activity than piperacillin and achieved a substantial decrease in endotoxin and TNF-alpha plasma concentrations than the beta-lactam.

CONCLUSIONS: Because of its strong double anti-endotoxin and antimicrobial activities MSI-78 could be an interesting compound for Gram-negative septic shock treatment.