Antifungal Macrocycle Antibiotic Amphotericin B-Its Present and Future. Multidisciplinary Perspective for the Use in the Medical Practice

The Effect of Polyene Antibiotic Amphotericin B on Erythrocyte Cytoarchitectonics and Osmotic Resistance

We studied the effect of amphotericin B (2.5×10-5 and 5.4×10-5 M) on osmotic resistance and surface cytoarchitectonics of donor blood erythrocytes. Antibiotic at a concentration of 2.5×10-5 M induced most pronounced changes in the studied parameters, which can be related to the specifics of the spatial organization of the cholesterol-amphotericin B complexes at different stoichiometric ratios of the components and their ability to pore formation in the membranes. Cholesterol binding to the polyene antibiotic and the appearance of perforations in the plasma membrane lead to accumulation of reversibly and irreversibly deformed cells and their hemolysis. The appearance of a large number of irreversibly deformed erythrocytes indicates an impaired ability to elastic deformation in the microcirculatory stream, which can lead to disruption of their functions in vivo and intravascular hemolysis.

Polyene Antibiotics Physical Chemistry and Their Effect on Lipid Membranes; Impacting Biological Processes and Medical Applications

This review examined a collection of studies regarding the molecular properties of some polyene antibiotic molecules as well as their properties in solution and in particular environmental conditions. We also looked into the proposed mechanism of action of polyenes, where membrane properties play a crucial role. Given the interest in polyene antibiotics as therapeutic agents, we looked into alternative ways of reducing their collateral toxicity, including semi-synthesis of derivatives and new formulations. We follow with studies on the role of membrane structure and, finally, recent developments regarding the most important clinical applications of these compounds.