Efectos de ciprofloxacina y norfloxacina sobre la apoptosis de neutrófilos humanos in vitro.

Neutrophil apoptosis (PMNs) is thought to be a critical event for the control of the resolution phase of inflammation. In consequence, the pharmacological induction of apoptosis by antibiotics could be a therapeutic option for the treatment of a number of diseases. However, there is scarce information about the abilities of broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as the fluoroquinolones to accelerate this metabolic event. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of the fluoroquinolones ciprofloxacin (CPX) and norfloxacin (NFX) on the human PMNs apoptosis. Methods: Isolated PMNs were incubated in the presence of both drugs to determine their effects on apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial membrane potential ( ψm). These events were assessed by the use of optical or fluorescence microscopy, luminometry and flow citometry techniques, respectively. Results: Both drugs, at concentrations of 300 and 600 μmol/L, induced disruption of ψm, as well as apoptotic cell death in a statically significant degree. In addition, these effects were probably dependent on the induction of an oxidative stress response since both drugs increased the generation of intracellular ROS, and their proapoptotic effects could be artially blocked by both catalase and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). onclusion: These findings suggest that due to their low toxicity and their ability to induce apoptotic effects, CPX and NFX may be useful drugs for the treatment of inflammatory diseases not necessarily related to bacterial infections