Effect of amphotericin B associated with a lipid emulsion on the oxidative burst of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes

1. Despite its toxicity, amphotericin B (AB) continues to be the drug of choice for the treatment of systemic fungal infection. The drug acts on several cell types, including polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), where it inhibits the oxidative burst of cells submitted to several stimuli. 2. It was previously shown that the association of AB with a triglyceride-rich emulsion that physio logically mimics chylomicrons reduces toxicity. 3. We found that the association of AB with a triglyceride rich emulsion reduces the loss of BMN viability produced by the drug. 4. The inhibition of the PMN oxidative burst triggered by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and opsonized zymosan (OZ) also was decreased by the association of the drug with this lipid emulsion. 5. Delivery of AB in a lipid emulsion may be of advantage in the treatment of immunosuppressed patients. Copyright (C) 1991 Elsevier Science Inc.