Inhibitory Effect of Terbinafine on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation by Candida albicans
U-C. Hipler1, Ch. Schroeter1, U. Wollina1, B. Hipler21Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany; 2BMG LABTECH, Germany
1x109 cells/mL were prepared in saline and YEPG medium. Candida cells at a concentration of 1x108 cells/mL were incubated in saline
Intracellular ROS detection by luminescence
with terbinafine at concentrations of 1 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL and 100 µg/
mL dissolved in DMSO. Incubation was performed for 10 min and 60
Time- and dose-dependent inhibition of ROS generation
min at 25°C in a shaking incubator. The duration was restricted to exclude effects of terbinafine on cell number and growth.
ROS measurements were carried out by means of lucigenin amplified chemiluminescence (CL) as described.11 Lucigenin solution was
prepared in PBS at a concentration of 0.1 mmol/L. A 200 µL of fungal cell suspension was measured in the tube luminometer LB
Candida albicans is one of the most important opportunistic fungal
953 (Berthold, Germany) or in the LUMIstar microplate reader (BMG
pathogens. The yeast is able to cause candidiasis, a disease that can
LABTECH GmbH, Germany). Chemiluminescent signals were recorded
vary from superficial mucosal to life-threatening systemic disorders.
using the slow kinetic method for yeast cells at different cell numbers
Several virulence factors of C.albicans are known including the
and for 1x108 cells/mL incubated with terbinafine. The calculation
dimorphism, which is the ability to grow in either a yeast-like
was performed using the average counts per minute (cpm) or RLU over
(blastoconidial) or a mycelial (hyphal) form in response to different
environmental factors.1 The argument that hyphae represent an advantage in tissue invasion seems obvious and widely accepted, but
All data was expressed as means ± standard deviation. Each test was
definitive experimental evidence is lacking.2
replicated. Data was analyzed using Student´s t-test for paired data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) receive increasing attention as short acting compounds involved in inflammation and tissue damage. ROS
can react with polyunsaturated fatty acids in cellular membranes, nucleotides, and sulfhydryl bonds in proteins3, and have been related
Generation of reactive oxygen species was detectable in C. albicans
blastoconidiae. The results were dependent on yeast cell number and media used for measurement. Chemiluminescent signals could be
In C. albicans, mitochondria are capable of generating and releasing
found at concentrations >1x106 cells/mL of C. albicans blastoconidiae.
extracellular ROS.5 In our previous work, we showed that ROS
The maximum was measured at concentrations >1x108 cells/mL (Fig. 1).
generation by C. albicans is dependent on morphogenesis and is
At higher concentrations ROS generation was inhibited in both media,
highest in hyphal form cells.6 Thus, ROS generation may play a major
which is very likely to be a protective mechanism.
role in tissue invasion and infection.
Terbinafine, a synthetic allylamine antifungal agent, inhibits ergosterol biosynthesis via squalene epoxidase. When exposed to terbinafine, fungi accumulate squalene while becoming deficient in ergosterol, an essential component of fungal cell membranes. The inhibition of squalene epoxidase leads to fungistatic and fungicidal action.7 There is also evidence that terbinafine, at therapeutic concentrations, can be considered a free radical interceptor in vitro and could exert an anti-inflammatory activity in vivo.8 The substance is capable of interacting with cell membranes and inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species.9,10
Fig. 1: Effect of increasing numbers of Candida albicans blastoconidiae on
In this study, the effect of terbinafine on ROS generation was analyzed.
generation of ROS, measured by lucigenin amplified chemiluminescence
We investigated whether terbinafine influences the oxidant properties of this pathogen.
The media used for measurements had strong effects on total amounts of reactive oxygen species. Measurements in saline revealed the
highest values, which could be explained by the lack of nutrients in this solution and resulting stress within the cells. Furthermore, YEPG medium
C. albicans strain 3153A was pre-cultured in yeast extract peptone
presumably possesses light quenching effects in chemiluminescent
glucose (YEPG) medium 21 h at 25°C to obtain cells in the yeast phase
measurements.6,12 Due to these results, further experiments were carried
(blastoconidiae). Samples at the concentration of 1x106 cells/mL to
out with blastoconidiae at a cell number of 1x108 cells/mL in saline.
After 10 min of incubation with terbinafine, a dose-dependent inhibition
These results reveal a terbinafine time- and dose-dependent inhibition
of ROS generation was already seen (Fig. 2). DMSO itself, as the soluble
of ROS generation by C. albicans. Due to the time-dependency, it is
reagent, revealed antioxidant properties. However, the inhibition of
likely that terbinafine not only has radical scavenging properties,
ROS generation was considerably dependent on the used terbinafine
but also interacts with the pathway that generates reactive oxygen
concentration. At a terbinafine concentration of 1 µg/mL (T1) the
species. In summary, terbinafine reduces the ability of C. albicans to
inhibition corresponded to 9.4 % and at 100 µg/mL (T100) to 24 %.
generate reactive oxygen species. Besides the known influence on ergosterol biosynthesis, this mechanism may contribute to antifungal action and improvement of the inflammatory situation within the host. Further investigations must prove whether terbinafine inhibits generation of reactive oxygen species as well in the hyphal phase, which is associated with markedly increased ROS generation.6
1. Odds FC (1988) Candida and Candidosis. 2. Edition, Bailliére
2. Ghannoum MA, Abu-Elteen KH (1990) Pathogenicity
determinants of Candida. Mycoses. 33, 265-282.
3. Machlin LJ, Bendich A (1987) Free radical tissue damage:
protective role of antioxidant nutrients. FASEB J. 1, 441-445.
4. Nishikawa T, Tokunaga S, Fuse F, Takashima M, Noda T, Ohkawa M,
Nakamura S, Namiki M (1997) Experimental study of ascending
Fig. 2: Dose-dependent inhibition of ROS generation by Candida albicans
Candida albicans pyelonephritis focusing on the hyphal form
after 10 min incubation with different concentrations of terbinafine.
and oxidant injury. Urol Int. 58, 131-136.
Blastoconidiae cell number: 1 x 108 cells/mL in saline. All other
5. Danley DL, Hilger AE, Winkel CA (1983) Generation of hydrogen
samples contain yeast cells and additionally DMSO or terbinafine.
peroxide by Candida albicans and influence on murine
polymorphonuclear leukocyte activity. Infect Immun. 40, 97-102.
6. Schröter C, Hipler UC, Wilmer A, Künkel W, Wollina U (2000)
Generation of reactive oxygen species by Candida albicans in
The inhibition was significant for the comparison of the control
relation to morphogenesis. Arch Dermatol Res.292, 260-264.
incubated with DMSO and the highest chosen terbinafine
7. Ryder NS, Favre B (1997) Antifungal activity and mechanism of
concentration of 100 µg/mL (T100) (p<0.05). After 60 min of
action of terbinafine. Rev Contemp Pharmacother. 8, 275-386.
incubation with terbinafine the inhibition was amplified (Fig. 3).
8. Camera E, Cannistraci C, Briganti S, Colombo D, Picardo M (1999)
The final inhibitory effect was 18% for 1 µg/mL terbinafine (T1) and
Scavenging effects of terbinafine on free radicals in vitro. Br J
41.1% for 100 µg/mL terbinafine (T100). The effect was significant
Dermatol. 140, 640-644.
for terbinafine concentrations of 10 µg/mL (T10) and 100 µg/mL
9. Vago T, Baldi G, Colombo D, Barbareschi M, Norbiato G, Dallegri
(T100) (p < 0.05). The dose of 10 µg/mL (1%) corresponds to the dose
F, Bevilacqua M (1994) Effects of naftifine and terbinafine, two
allylamine antifungal drugs, on selected functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 38, 2605-2611.
10. Ryder NS (1992) Terbinafine: mode of action and properties of
the squalene epoxidase inhibition. Br J Dermatol126 s 39,2-7.
11. Hipler UC, Wollina U, Mayser P. (1999) Chemiluminescence
measurements of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by different stimulated Trichosporon strains. In: Roda, A, Pazzagli, M, Kricka, L J, Stanley, PE (eds). Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence. Perspectives for the 21st Century. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester/UK, 307-310.
12. Van Poucke SO, Nelis HJ (1997) Effects of the composition of
bacteriological growth media on a chemiluminometric assay of beta-galactosidase in Escherichia coli. J Biolumin Chemilumin. 12, 165-75. Germany: BMG LABTECH GmbH Tel: +49 781 96968-0 Fig. 3: Dose-dependent inhibition of ROS generation by Candida albicans
after 60 min incubation with different concentrations of terbinafine.
Blastoconidiae cell number: 1 x 108 cells/mL in saline. All other
samples contain yeast cells and additionally DMSO or terbinafine.
Internet: www.bmglabtech.com [email protected]
Professor Steve Marsden This proposal is representative of the projects currently on offer in the group. For more details of active research projects, please visit the Research and Publications sections of our webpages at: www.chem.leeds.ac.uk/SPM Direct arylation of carboxylates by C-H activation (Industrial CASE with AstraZeneca) As part of our general interest in methods for the eff
2:07-cv-02046-HAB-DGB # 413 Page 1 of 11 ORDER REGARDING PLAINTIFFS’ APPLICATION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES THIS MATTER is before the Court in connection with Plaintiffs’ Application for Attorneys’ Fees and Reimbursement of Expenses and for Case Contribution Awards for Named Plaintiffs. Doc. 406. In their Application, Class Counsel, the law firm of Schlic
Inhibitory Effect of Terbinafine on Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Generation by Candida albicans
U-C. Hipler1, Ch. Schroeter1, U. Wollina1, B. Hipler21Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Jena, Germany; 2BMG LABTECH, Germany
1x109 cells/mL were prepared in saline and YEPG medium. Candida cells at a concentration of 1x108 cells/mL were incubated in saline
Intracellular ROS detection by luminescence
with terbinafine at concentrations of 1 µg/mL, 10 µg/mL and 100 µg/
mL dissolved in DMSO. Incubation was performed for 10 min and 60
Time- and dose-dependent inhibition of ROS generation
min at 25°C in a shaking incubator. The duration was restricted to exclude effects of terbinafine on cell number and growth.
After 10 min of incubation with terbinafine, a dose-dependent inhibition
These results reveal a terbinafine time- and dose-dependent inhibition
of ROS generation was already seen (Fig. 2). DMSO itself, as the soluble
of ROS generation by C. albicans. Due to the time-dependency, it is
reagent, revealed antioxidant properties. However, the inhibition of
likely that terbinafine not only has radical scavenging properties,
ROS generation was considerably dependent on the used terbinafine
but also interacts with the pathway that generates reactive oxygen
concentration. At a terbinafine concentration of 1 µg/mL (T1) the
species. In summary, terbinafine reduces the ability of C. albicans to
inhibition corresponded to 9.4 % and at 100 µg/mL (T100) to 24 %.