tcsc1891 Ofloxacin

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone whose primary mechanism of action is inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase.

Target: DNA gyrase

Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone whose primary mechanism of action is inhibition of bacterial DNA gyrase. In vitro it has a broad spectrum of activity against aerobic Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, although it is poorly active against anaerobes [1]. Ofloxacin, like other 4-quinolones, is unusual among front line drugs available to treat bacterial infections since it affects bacterial DNA synthesis, rather than cell wall or protein synthesis [2].

Ofloxacin (20 mg/kg), norfloxacin (40 mg/kg), pefloxacin mesylate dihydrate (40 mg/kg)and ciprofloxacin (50 mg/kg) were administered by gavage twice daily for three consecutive weeks. 6 weeks after treatment, the test animals were euthanised and Achilles tendon specimens were collected. A computer monitored tensile testing machine was utilised for biomechanical testing. The mean elastic modulus of the control group was significantly higher than that of the norfloxacin and pefloxacin groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The mean yield force (YF) of the control group was significantly higher than those of ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin and pefloxacin groups (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). The mean ultimate tensile force (UTF) of the control group was significantly higher than of the ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, and pefloxacin groups (p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Hyaline degeneration and fibre disarrangement were observed in the tendons of the ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, and ofloxacin treated-groups, whereas myxomatous degeneration was observed only in the ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin groups [3].

Clinical indications: Bacterial infection; Bacterial respiratory tract infection; Bacterial urinary tract infection

Toxicity: tendinopathy; hepatotoxicity; dysglycemia