MEROPENEM INHIBITION OF ENDOTOXIN RELEASE FROM ESCHERICHIA-COLI

Gram-negative sepsis may cause organ dysfunction and damage. Organ dam age in gram-negative sepsis is caused by endotoxin and other inflammat ory mediators, such as cyokines. Antibiotics limit the spread of infec tion in sepsis but do not eliminate cytokine-mediated cellular damage. Most beta-lactam antibiotics increase endotoxin release from gram-neg ative bacteria, thereby potentiating tissue damage. Aminoglycosides, i mipenem, and polymyxin B inhibit endotoxin release by gram-negative ba cilli. This study demonstrates that meropenem is a potent inhibitor of endotoxin release from gram-negative bacilli. With a high degree of a ntimicrobial activity, meropenem is effective against serious gram-neg ative infections and inhibits endotoxin release, in this way minimizin g endotoxin-mediated tissue damage.