Inactivation of amphotericin B by reducing agents: Influences on growth inhibition ofCandida albicansand lysis of erythrocytes

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Abstract
Reducing agents, both organic and inorganic, decreased the biological activity of amphotericin B. Cysteine-HCl, sodium sulfite, sodium dithionite, and sodium thiosulfate annulled amphotericin-mediated growth inhibition of susceptible organisms. These compounds also protected mouse erthrocytes from amphotericin-induced hemolysis. The reducing agents reacted, apparently irreversibly, with the heptaene chromophore of the antibiotic molecule. This reaction was reflected in altered spectrophotometric properties of the antibiotic and was associated with its loss of activity.