| abstract |
Disclosed is a method for delivering excess zinc to eukaryotic cells to inhibit the metabolism of the cell, the method comprising treating the cells with a zinc ionophoric that is capable of delivering a zinc ion across a cellular membrane wherein the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the zinc ionophoric material is less than about 500 ppm. Further disclosed is a method for delivering excess zinc to eukaryotic cells to inhibit the metabolism of the cell, the method comprising treating the cells with a zinc ionophoric material that is capable of delivering a zinc ion across a cellular membrane wherein the zinc ionophoric material is in combination with a zinc containing material and further wherein there is an increase in an intracellular zinc level by 1.5 fold more than would occur in the absence of the zinc ionophoric material. |