EFFECT OF NORDIHYDROGUARETIC ACID AND FLUCONAZOLE ON THE LTC4 PGE(2) RATIO IN THE KIDNEY OF MICE DAMAGED BY CANDIDA-ALBICANS/

The kidney is a major target organ in generalized candidiasis. When mi ce were infected with C. albicans, prostaglandin E-2 (PGE(2))-like act ivity was found to be significantly decreased while leukotriene C-4 (L TC4)-like activity increased in the kidneys within 10 days. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of nordihydroguaretic (NDGA) and fluconazole on the LTC4/PGE(2) ratio in the mice kidneys infected by proteinase (+) C. albicans. The LTC4/PGE(2) ratio was found to be s ignificantly decreased both in NDGA and fluconazole-pretreated groups. These results indicate that pretreatment with the lipoxygenase inhibi tor NDGA and the antifungal drug fluconazole, protect the kidney again st C. albicans infection. These results also indicate a possible role of arachidonic acid metabolites (increase LTC4 and decrease PGE(2)) in kidney damage due to C. albicans infection.