Efficacy of short novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptides in a mouse model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2014 Oct 17:8:1979-83. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S72129. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

The therapeutic efficacy of two novel short antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory peptides (RR and RRIKA) was evaluated in a mouse model of staphylococcal skin infection. RR (2%) and RRIKA (2%) significantly reduced the bacterial counts and the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-6, in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA 300-0114 skin lesions. Furthermore, the combined therapy of RRIKA (1%) and lysostaphin (0.5%) had significantly higher antistaphylococcal and anti-inflammatory activity compared to monotherapy. This study supports the potential use of these peptides for topical treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin infections.

Keywords: MRSA; antimicrobial peptides; lysostaphin; mice; skin infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Female
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / drug therapy*
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides