lysophosphatidic acid / antibiotic enhancer

From: doe (ironjustice_at_aol.comdoe)
Date: 07/24/04

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    Date: 24 Jul 2004 23:59:14 GMT

    Source: University of Rhode Island Released: Tue 20-Jul-2004, 14:00 ET
     
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    Antibiotics Get Boost from Natural Compound
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    ANTIBIOTICS
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    Description

    More and more common antibiotics are losing their effectiveness because they
    are used too often, allowing bacteria to develop resistance to the drugs. A
    researcher has found a solution to this problem with a natural compound that
    boosts antibiotic strength from 100 to 1,000 times.

    Newswise — More and more common antibiotics are losing their effectiveness
    because they are used too often, allowing bacteria to develop resistance to the
    drugs. A University of Rhode Island researcher has found a solution to this
    problem with a natural compound that boosts antibiotic strength from 100 to
    1,000 times.

    While conducting research on infection prevention, URI Microbiology Professor
    Paul Cohen stumbled upon a compound -- lysophosphatidic acid -- that is
    naturally produced in the human body in great quantities wherever there is
    inflammation.

    According to Cohen, bacteria are divided into two groups -- Gram-positive and
    Gram-negative -- based on the structure of their cell walls. When
    lysophosphatidic acid is administered in small amounts (80 micromolars), it
    sensitizes the Gram-negative bacteria 100 to 1,000 times so only small
    quantities of antibiotics are needed to kill the bacteria. When administered to
    fight Gram-positive bacteria, the compound kills the bacteria without needing
    any antibiotics.

    "In combination with this compound, even older antibiotics become much more
    powerful," Cohen said. "It not only makes older antibiotics useful again, but
    it also allows them to be used in reduced dosages."

    Lysophosphatidic acid is currently available commercially as a powder for
    researchers. Cohen holds a patent on its use with antibiotics. He said it can
    be formulated for a variety of applications, depending on where the infection
    is found.

    "For cystic fibrosis patients, for instance, who often suffer from lung
    infections, it can be formulated for use as an inhalant. Burn patients or those
    with acne can use it as a lotion to rub on the skin. It can be applied in many
    ways," said the Narragansett resident who worked on the project with URI
    Professor David Laux, former URI technician Maryjane Utley and Danish
    researcher Karen Krogfelt of the Statenserum Institut in Copenhagen.

    Cohen said that since the compound is naturally found in the bloodstream, it is
    non-toxic and patients should not be allergic to it.

    "We know it works in the test tube," he said, "but we still need to show that
    it works on animals. I'm sure that for surface diseases like acne, doctors
    would use it right away."

    Cohen is seeking pharmaceutical-based partners to invest in the project and
    fund the next stage of research to bring this discovery to market.

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