Tartar emetic (TE) was the first drug used to treat leishmaniasis.However, its use was discontinued due to high toxicity. Association\nof TE with liposomes is a strategy to reduce its side effects. Pegylated liposomes (Lpeg) present lower rates of uptake by macrophages\nand prolonged circulation compared to their nonpegylated counterparts. However, repeated administration of Lpeg can cause an\nAccelerated Blood Clearance (ABC) phenomenon, whereby recognition of liposomes by antibodies results in faster phagocytosis.\nThiswork evaluated the effect of TE administration on histopathological aspects and the effect of the ABC phenomenon on targeting\nand toxicity in mice. Our results show that treatment with free or liposomal TE had no effect on the erythrocyte count, on liver\nand spleen weight, and on hepatic, splenic, and cardiac histology in mice. Severe lesions were observed on the kidneys of animals\ntreated with a single dose of free TE. Treatment with TE in Lpeg after induction of ABC phenomenon caused a significant increase\nin Sb level in the liver without toxicity. Furthermore, mice treated with TE in liposomes showed normal renal histopathology. These\nresults suggest site-specific targeting of Sb to the liver after induction of ABC phenomenon with no toxicity to other organs.
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