Polyene antibiotics: relative degrees of in vitro cytotoxicity and potential effects on tubule phospholipid and ceramide content.

Abstract

Polyene antibiotic administration is limited by dose-dependent nephrotoxicity. The latter is believed to be mediated by polyene anchoring to plasma membrane cholesterol, resulting in pore formation, abnormal ion/solute flux, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) declines, and, ultimately, a loss of tubule viability. The relative nephrotoxicity of these agents and their liposomal preparations has remained poorly defined. Thus, freshly isolated mouse proximal tubules or cultured human proximal tubule (HK-2) cells were exposed to either nystatin, amphotericin B, or three different polyene liposomal preparations (Nyotran, AmBisome, or Abelcet; 4 to 64 microg/mL). The impact of these agents on (1) plasma membrane injury (sodium-driven ATP consumption, assessed by ATP-adenosine diphosphate [ADP] ratios); (2) cellular susceptibility to superimposed injury (chemical hypoxia or ferrous ammonium sulfate-mediated oxidative stress; assessed by lactate dehydrogenase release); and (3) membrane cholesterol, phospholipid, and ceramide expression was assessed. Amphotericin B was more cytotoxic than nystatin (approximately 25% to 50% greater ATP-ADP ratio declines). Most of this toxicity could be eliminated by polyene liposomal formulation. Nevertheless, the liposomal polyenes still fully sensitized tubule cells to superimposed chemical hypoxic (antimycin/deoxyglucose), but not oxidant, attack. Nystatin and amphotericin B caused acute increments in tubule sphingomyelin-phosphatidylcholine ratios and ceramide content (indicating an impact on the plasma membrane extending beyond the classic view of pore formation with ion flux). In conclusion, (1) nystatin is seemingly less cytotoxic than amphotericin B (in contrast to the prevailing clinical view); (2) liposomal formulation markedly decreases this cytotoxicity; (3) despite this reduced toxicity, liposomal polyenes are still able to render tubule cells more vulnerable to selected forms of superimposed injury; and (4) acute alterations in plasma membrane phospholipid and ceramide expression are previously unrecognized consequences and potential mediators of polyene-mediated tubular cell attack.

• Authors: R A Zager
• Journal: American journal of kidney diseases : the official journal of the National Kidney Foundation (Am J Kidney Dis) Vol. 36 Issue 2 Pg. 238-49 (Aug 2000) ISSN: 1523-6838 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 10922301 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antifungal Agents
• Ceramides
• Drug Carriers
• Drug Combinations
• Liposomes
• Phosphatidylcholines
• Phosphatidylglycerols
• Phospholipids
• Polyenes
• liposomal amphotericin B
• Nystatin
• Adenosine Diphosphate
• Amphotericin B
• Adenosine Triphosphate
• Cholesterol
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase

Topics

• Adenosine Diphosphate (metabolism)
• Adenosine Triphosphate (metabolism)
• Amphotericin B (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Animals
• Antifungal Agents (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Cell Hypoxia (drug effects)
• Ceramides (metabolism)
• Cholesterol (metabolism)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Carriers
• Drug Combinations
• Humans
• In Vitro Techniques
• Kidney Tubules, Proximal (drug effects, metabolism)
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (metabolism)
• Liposomes
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Nystatin (administration & dosage, toxicity)
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Phosphatidylcholines (toxicity)
• Phosphatidylglycerols (toxicity)
• Phospholipids (metabolism)
• Polyenes (administration & dosage, toxicity)