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Synergistic bactericidal effect of low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound combined with levofloxacin-loaded nanoparticles on M. smegmatis in macrophages

Shuang Xie, Gangjing Li, Yuru Hou, Min Yang, Fahui Li, Jianhu Li, Dairong Li, Yonghong Du

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Tuberculosis is a highly infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) which often parasites in macrophages. The present study was to investigate the bactericidal effect and underlying mechanisms of low-frequency and low-intensity ultrasound (LFLIU) combined with levofloxacin-loaded nanoparticles (LEV-NPs) on M. smegmatis (a surrogate of Mtb )in macrophages. Methods and results LEV-NPs were prepared by a double emulsification method. The characterization, such as average diameter, zeta potential, polydispersity index and morphology, and in-vitro drug release efficiency of LEV-NPs were investigated. M. smegmatis in macrophages was treated by LEV-NPs combined with 42 kHz ultrasound irradiation at an intensity of 0.13 W/cm 2 for 10 min. The results showed ultrasound could significantly promote phagocytosis of nanoparticles by macrophages ( p <0.05), further ultrasound combined with LEV-NPs could promote the production of macrophage ROS, and the apoptosis rate of macrophages was significantly higher than that of the control ( p <0.05). Transmission electronic microscope showed M. smegmatis cell wall was ruptured, the cell structure was incomplete, and the bacteria received severe damage in the ultrasound combined with the LEV-NPs group. Activity assays showed that ultrasound combined with LEV-NPs exhibited 10-fold higher antibacterial activity against M. smegmatis residing inside macrophages compared with free drug. Conclusion Our data demonstrate…

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