Inhibition of Escherichia coli-induced meningitis by carboxyfullerence

The effect of a water-soluble malonic acid derivative of carboxyfullerence (C60) against Escherichia coli-induced meningitis was tested. C60 can prote ct the mice from E. coli-induced death in a dose-dependent manner. C60 admi nistered intraperitoneally as late as 9 h after E. coli injection was still protective. The C60-treated mice had less tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-lp production by staining of brain tissue compared to the level s of production for nontreated mice. The E. coli-induced increases in blood -brain barrier permeability and inflammatory neutrophilic infiltration were also inhibited. These data suggest that C60 is a potentially therapeutic a gent for bacterial meningitis.