Azithromycin hydrate (CP-62993 dihydrate) is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic structurally related to ERYTHROMYCIN. It has been used in the treatment of Mycobacterium avium intracellulare infections, toxoplasmosis, and cryptosporidiosis.

Azithromycin (50 mg/kg) does not alter bronchoalveolar lavage inflammatory parameters or LDH levels in a mouse asthma exacerbation model. It also does not induce general inflammation or LDH release, but enhances interferon-stimulated gene expression and MDA5, a pattern recognition receptor, effectively lowering viral load without affecting RIG-I in exacerbating mice[2].

THP-1 cells (106 cells in 1 mL RPMI medium, without antibiotics, growth factors or serum) are seeded in each well of 24-well plates and allowed to settle for 1 hour. Next, 50 μL of the test compound is added followed by 50 μL of LPS (final concentration of 10 μg/mL). After 24h (37°C and 5% CO2) the supernatants and cell pellets are collected (1200 rpm, 5 min). THP-1 cell viability is tested using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT). MTT is dissolved at 2 mg/mL in PBS and aliquots are stored at -20°C. The MTT assay is performed according to the suppliers instructions. Absorbance of MTT converted into formazan is measured at a wavelength of 570 nm with background subtraction at 630 nm.