Abstract
In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of a combination of liposomal amphotericin B (Lip-Amp B) and Methylglyoxal (Lip-MG) againstCandida albicansin the leukopoenic mice. The antifungal efficacy of Lip-Amp B or Lip-MG or a combination of Lip-Amp B and Lip-MG was evaluated by the analysis of the survival rate and the fungal load in the treated mice. The immune-stimulatory effect of Lip-MG on macrophages was evaluated by analysing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines.C. albicansinfected mice treated at the doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg of Lip-Amp B showed 20% and 50% survival rates, respectively. Whereas the mice treated with free Amp B at the same doses died within 40 days of treatment. Interestingly,C. albicansinfected mice treated with a combination of Lip-Amp B and Lip-MG had 70% survival rate on day 40 postinfection. Moreover, treatment of macrophages with Lip-MG increased their fungicidal activity and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta. These findings suggested that co-treatment with Lip-Amp B and Lip-MG had a synergistic effect and could be effective againstC. albicansin immunocompromised subjects.