Glycerol Monolaurate Does Not Alter Rhesus Macaque ( Macaca mulatta ) Vaginal Lactobacilli and Is Safe for Chronic Use
- 1 December 2008
- journal article
- Published by American Society for Microbiology in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
- Vol. 52 (12), 4448-4454
- https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.00989-08
Abstract
Glycerol monolaurate (GML) is a fatty acid monoester that inhibits growth and exotoxin production of vaginal pathogens and cytokine production by vaginal epithelial cells. Because of these activities, and because of the importance of cytokine-mediated immune activation in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) transmission to women, our laboratories are performing studies on the potential efficacy of GML as a topical microbicide to interfere with HIV-1 transmission in the simian immunodeficiency virus-rhesus macaque model. While GML is generally recognized as safe by the FDA for topical use, its safety for chronic use and effects on normal vaginal microflora in this animal model have not been evaluated. GML was therefore tested both in vitro for its effects on vaginal flora lactobacilli and in vivo as a 5% gel administered vaginally to monkeys. In vitro studies demonstrated that lactobacilli are not killed by GML; GML blocks the loss of their viability in stationary phase and does not interfere with lactic acid production. GML (5% gel) does not quantitatively alter monkey aerobic vaginal microflora compared to vehicle control gel. Lactobacilli and coagulase-negative staphylococci are the dominant vaginal aerobic microflora, with beta-hemolytic streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus , and yeasts sporadically present; gram-negative rods are not part of their vaginal flora. Colposcopy and biopsy studies indicate that GML does not alter normal mucosal integrity and does not induce inflammation; instead, GML reduces epithelial cell production of interleukin 8. The studies suggest that GML is safe for chronic use in monkeys when applied vaginally; it does not alter either mucosal microflora or integrity.Keywords
This publication has 30 references indexed in Scilit:
- Glycerol Monolaurate Inhibits Virulence Factor Production in Bacillus anthracisAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2005
- Vaginal leucocyte counts in women with bacterial vaginosis: relation to vaginal and cervical infectionsSexually Transmitted Infections, 2004
- History and new insights into host defense against vaginal candidiasisTrends in Microbiology, 2004
- The Molecular Basis of Nonoxynol‐9–Induced Vaginal Inflammation and Its Possible Relevance to Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 TransmissionThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2001
- The Identification of VaginalLactobacillusSpecies and the Demographic and Microbiologic Characteristics of Women Colonized by These SpeciesThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1999
- Effects of multiple applications of benzalkonium chloride and nonoxynol 9 on the vaginal epithelium in the pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina)American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1999
- The Vaginal Microflora of Pig-Tailed Macaques and the Effects of Chlorhexidine and Benzalkonium on This EcosystemSexually Transmitted Diseases, 1996
- Inactivation of Visna Virus and Other Enveloped Viruses by Free Fatty Acids and MonoglyceridesAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1994
- Non-ulcerative sexually transmitted diseases as risk factors for HIV-1 transmission in womenAIDS, 1993
- Identification and Characterization of an Exotoxin from Staphylococcus aureus Associated with Toxic-Shock SyndromeThe Journal of Infectious Diseases, 1981