Use of xylitol to reduce ionic strength and activate endogenous antimicrobials for prevention and treatment of infections

Abstract

A method for killing infectious microbial cells by exposing the microbial cells to endogenous antimicrobial compounds. Activation of the antimicrobials is achieved by addition of low permeability, non-ionic osmolytes to lower ionic strength in body fluids where the antimicrobials have been previously suppressed by alteration of ionic transport (increase in salt concentration). The method can be used to treat cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis causes elevated salt concentrations in the airway surface liquid (ASL) occur due to the impaired chloride transport across the epithelia. Xylitol has been found to be an effective low permeability, non-ionic osmolyte for use in the present invention.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of killing infectious cells comprising: 
 administering to an epithelium surface an effective amount of a non-ionic osmolyte, wherein 
 said surface has a fluid containing endogenous antimicrobials, thereby reducing the ionic strength of said fluid containing said endogenous antimicrobials and promoting antimicrobial activity against infectious cells.  
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said non-ionic osmolyte is xylitol.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said surface is external or internal.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said surface is selected from the group consisting of an external eye, an oral pharynx, and a vagina.  
     
     
         5 . A method of killing infectious cells comprising: 
 administering to an external eye an effective amount of a non-ionic osmolyte, wherein said external eye has a fluid containing endogenous antimicrobials, thereby reducing the ionic strength of said fluid containing said endogenous antimicrobials and promoting antimicrobial activity against infectious cells.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said non-ionic osmolyte is xylitol.  
     
     
         7 . A method of killing infectious cells comprising: 
 administering to an oral pharynx an effective amount of a non-ionic osmolyte, wherein said pharynx has a fluid containing endogenous antimicrobials, thereby reducing the ionic strength of said fluid containing said endogenous antimicrobials and promoting antimicrobial activity against infectious cells.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein said non-ionic osmolyte is xylitol.  
     
     
         9 . A method of killing infectious cells comprising: 
 administering to a vaginal surface an effective amount of a non-ionic osmolyte, wherein said 
 surface has a fluid containing endogenous antimicrobials, thereby reducing the ionic strength of said fluid containing said endogenous antimicrobials and promoting antimicrobial activity against infectious cells.  
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said non-ionic osmolyte is xylitol.