An assessment of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate as an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent in sepsis

Tissue lesion mechanisms provoked by sepsis include the infectious process, inflammation, and cellular energy deficit. We chose to test fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) because of its possible anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial actions. Wistar rats were used and divided into three experimental groups: a control group (n = 10), in which a capsule was introduced into the peritoneum of the animals; a septic group (n = 10), in which a capsule containing non-sterile fecal matter was introduced together with Escherichia coli (1.5 x 10(9) CFU); and a septic group treated with FBP 500 mg/kg (n = 10). The blood cell tests revealed that levels of leukocytes increased significantly in the septic group when compared to both the septic group treated with FBP and the control group. The blood cultures were 100% positive in both the septic group and the septic group treated with bisphosphorylated sugar. The antibiogram only revealed an inhibitory halo in the case of the antibiotic ampicillin, there was no such indication for FBP. The anti-inflammatory power of FBP remained at 60% for 5 h in the rats that received the carrageenan injection. What is more, the sugar reduced the levels of ionic calcium in relation to the control group. This data proves the validity of using FBP in the treatment of sepsis, possibly due to its anti-inflammatory rather than antimicrobial action. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.