The Reversal of Antibiotic Action

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Abstract
Bacteriostasis by HgCl2, allyl 2-propene-l-thiol-sulfinate, and gliotoxin can be reversed by addition of cys-teine to the bacteriostatic system. Bacteriostasis caused by penicillin, streptomycin, the active principle of Asarum canadense, or pyocyanin was not reversed by cysteine. In addition to cysteine, glycylcysteine, N-acetylcysteine, and Na thioglycolate were effective reversing compounds for HgCl2; the thiolsulfinate was reversed by all except Na thioglycolate, whereas only N-acetylcysteine had any effect on the gliotoxin bacteriostasis. Thiol-reactive antibiotics may be classified on the basis of thiol reversibility of the bacteriostasis produced.
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