Inhibitory effect of verapamil on Candida albicans hyphal development, adhesion and gastrointestinal colonization

This study investigated the in vitro and in vivo effect of verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, on these processes. Exposure to ≥10 μg mL–1 verapamil led to a significant decrease of C. albicans hyphal cells. The ability to adhere to a polystyrene surface and buccal epithelial cells was inhibited by exposure to ≥20 μg mL–1 verapamil. Detection of the Hwp1–green fluorescent protein fusion protein showed that verapamil inhibited expression and transport of Hwp1, indicating its activity against both the regulation network of morphogenesis‐associated proteins and the secretory pathway in C. albicans. Moreover, treatment with verapamil at 10 mg (kg.day)–1 led to a remarkable decrease in GI‐colonizing fungal cells. This study revealed the inhibitory effect of verapamil on C. albicans hyphal development, adhesion and GI colonization, which is relevant to decreased expression and abnormal transport of the proteins required for morphogenesis. Therefore, verapamil may be taken into account when choosing an antifungal therapy against C. albicans colonization and infection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Source: FEMS Yeast Research - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Research Paper Source Type: research