Fusidic Acid and Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality from long-standing complications. The autoimmune nature of IDDM has encouraged use of immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory strategies to better preserve residual pancreatic p-cell function at the time of diagnosis. Fusidic acid and its sodium salt, fusidin, is a relatively atoxic antibiotic used mainly in the treatment of staphylococcal infections. Recently, fusidin has been demonstrated to possess immunosuppressive functions in vitro and in vivo, and the drug has shown promise in preventing the disease in animal models of IDDM and in a preliminary trial in IDDM patients.

Key Words:

• insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
• fusidic acid
• treatment
• immunosuppression