[Effect of antibiotics on IL-1 in vitro production by human monocytes]

Abstract

The effects of penicillin, macrolides (spiramycin and erythromycin), cephalosporins (cefaclor and cefadroxil), cycline (doxycycline) and quinolones (pefloxacin, ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin) on extracellular and cell-associated interleukin-1 activity from human monocytes were investigated in vitro. When cells were treated with 10 micrograms/ml of quinolones, cephalosporins or penicillin, no effect on IL-1 production could be detected. Using 100 micrograms/ml, extracellular IL-1 activity was found to be decreased by quinolones (about 35% of the control without antibiotic) without modification of the cell-associated IL-1 activity. Extra and intracellular IL-1 was only slightly decreased by cephalosporins, while penicillin did not alter the IL-1 activities. Spiramycin and doxycycline using 100 micrograms/ml increased extracellular IL-1 while cell-associated was decreased. A toxic effect may have been exerted by these antimicrobial agents.