Systemic and renal hemodynamic effects of bupicomide: a new vasodilator

Compounds with Potential Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The high acquisition rate of drug resistance by Mycobacterium tuberculosis necessitates the ongoing search for new drugs to be incorporated in the tuberculosis (TB) regimen. Compounds used for the treatment of other diseases have the potential to be repurposed for the treatment of TB. In this study, a high-throughput screening of compounds against thiol-deficient Mycobacterium smegmatis strains and subsequent validation with thiol-deficient M. tuberculosis strains revealed that ΔegtA and ΔmshA mutants had increased susceptibility to azaguanine (Aza) and sulfaguanidine (Su); ΔegtB and ΔegtE mutants had increased susceptibility to bacitracin (Ba); and ΔegtA, ΔmshA, and ΔegtB mutants had increased susceptibility to fusaric acid (Fu). Further analyses revealed that some of these compounds were able to modulate the levels of thiols and oxidative stress in M. tuberculosis This study reports the activities of Aza, Su, Fu, and Ba against M. tuberculosis and provides a rationale for further investigations.

Pharmacological activities of fusaric acid (5-butylpicolinic acid)

This review article aims at summarizing research findings on the various pharmacological activities of fusaric acid (5-butylpicolinic acid), a mycotoxin produced by several Fusarium species which commonly infect cereal grains and other agricultural commodities. The actions of the toxin on mammals, birds, arthropods, crustaceans and plants are covered. The effects on mammals are diverse and are apparent in the nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems. Fusaric acid is toxic to some mammalian tumor cell lines.

Effects of amiloride on arterial pressure and renal function

Amiloride was administered to 13 male patients with mild essential hypertension and normal renal function. It effectively reduced supine and standing arterial pressures. The antihypertensive response was associated with a significant decrease in renal inulin clearance and a rise in plasma creatinine concentration, although both values at the end of seven weeks of therapy remained within normal limits. Serum potassium concentrations rose but did not reach hyperkalemic levels. Amiloride did not increase blood levels of glucose, uric acid, lipids, calcium, or urea nitrogen. We conclude that amiloride is an effective antihypertensive and antikaliuretic agents for patients with mild hypertension and normal renal function.