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. 1987 Sep;31(9):1406–1413. doi: 10.1128/aac.31.9.1406

Synergism between 9-deazainosine and DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine in treatment of experimental African trypanosomiasis.

C J Bacchi 1, R L Berens 1, H C Nathan 1, R S Klein 1, I A Elegbe 1, K V Rao 1, P P McCann 1, J J Marr 1
PMCID: PMC174951  PMID: 3118799

Abstract

Kinetoplastid hemoflagellates are sensitive to growth inhibition by various purine analogs. In this study the activities of 9-deazainosine (9-DINO), formycin B, and sinefungin were compared in experimental murine Trypanosoma brucei subsp. brucei infections, both singly and in combination with the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor DL-alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, eflornithine). Used singly, all of the purine analogs were able to suppress an acute T. brucei subsp. brucei infection. 9-DINO and formycin B were the most active. None of the purine analogs was curative when used singly against a strain causing chronic central nervous system infection. 9-DINO was highly effective when used in combination with DFMO in curing this central nervous system infection and another more stringent experimental infection. Neither sinefungin nor formycin B was active in combination with DFMO in curing the central nervous system experimental infection. 9-DINO was metabolized to phosphorylated derivatives of 9-deazaadenosine and 9-deazaguanosine by bloodstream trypomastigotes, but not by murine erythrocyte suspensions or kidney or liver homogenates--a potential rationale for the selectivity of the analog. These studies indicate that 9-DINO is a potent, nontoxic purine analog which, in combination with DFMO, is capable of late-stage cures of African trypanosomiasis.

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Selected References

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