Abstract
Summary
The cytotoxicity of a number of penicillin and cephalosporin congeners for cultures of human amnion was determined. The least injurious compounds were found to be 7-aminocephalosporanic and 6-aminopeni-cillanic acids. Addition of a side chain to position 6 of the basic nucleus of penicillin or to position 3 or 7 of cephalosporanic acid appeared to be associated with an increase in capacity to injure cultured cells. Destruction of the antimicrobial activity of penicillin by treatment with penicillinase resulted in an increase in toxicity, while inactivation of cephalothin by exposure to cephalosporinase decreased the tissue damaging effect. These observations suggest a lack of relation between antibacterial effects and the potential for producing cellular injury. Addition of tetracycline to penicillin or cephalothin reduced the cytotoxicity of these agents.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.