Inhibitors of fatty acid synthesis as antimicrobial agents

摘要

Fatty acid synthase (FAS) is overexpressed by certain infectious organisms that are resistant to most currently available antibiotics. Contrarywise, little FAS expression is identified in patient tissues. Inhibition of fatty acid synthesis is thus selectively toxic to invasive cells, while patient cells with low FAS activity are resistant. This invention provides a method of treating septic patients where fatty acid synthesis by invading cells is inhibited with resultant interruption of the disease process.