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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1963 November; 11(6): 542-544

Effects of Protein, Lipids, and Surfactants on the Antimicrobial Activity of Synthetic Steroids

Department of Microbiology, Schools of Dentistry and Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland

ABSTRACT

Three 4-azacholestanes and two A-norcholestanes were inactivated by 10 and 20% bovine serum and by 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0% sheep blood. The five compounds exhibited hemolytic properties when tested with 2% sheep blood and 2% human blood. These cholestanes inhibited Streptococcus pyogenes and were completely inactivated by 0.1% lecithin. Tween 80 was comparable to lecithin in causing the inactivation of steroids; 1% polyethylene glycol-4000 was inert; 1% Tween 20 and 1.0% Span 20 caused the inactivation of 3ß,4-dimethyl-4-aza-5-cholestane (ND-307). The sodium salts of four fatty acids, oleate, stearate, deoxycholate, and lauryl sulfate (0.1 to 1.0 mg/ml), effectively interfered with the action of ND-307. The steroids appear to have some properties similar to those of antimicrobial surfactants of the cationic type but have certain distinct features.