Suche
Mein Konto
Caffeine influences the effect of antibiotics: New study shocks researchers!
A new study from the University of Tübingen shows how caffeine influences gene regulation in E. coli and promotes antibiotic resistance.
Caffeine influences the effect of antibiotics: New study shocks researchers!
A current study by doctoral student Christoph Binsfeld and a team of researchers at the universities of Tübingen and Würzburg sheds light on the effects of everyday substances such as caffeine on gene regulation in bacteria. Research shows that caffeine reduces the absorption of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin in Escherichia coli (E. coli), resulting in less effectiveness of the drug. This is described as an “antagonistic interaction” and opens new perspectives on the interactions between diet, environmental factors and antibiotic resistance. University of Tübingen reports that this study was published in the journal PLOS Biology.
The study focuses on how E. coli reacts to chemical stimuli from its environment. Professor Ana Rita Brochado, who leads the study, explains that the researchers analyzed a total of 94 different substances, including other medications and food ingredients. The influence of these substances on the expression of important gene regulators and transport proteins has been extensively investigated. These transport proteins are crucial for the exchange of substances within the bacterial cell envelope, which is of great importance for the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Interactions with gene regulators
In E. coli, caffeine triggers a complex reaction that begins with the gene regulator Rob. This reaction has a decisive influence on the way the bacterium absorbs antibiotics. While caffeine shows a clear attenuating effect on the absorption of ciprofloxacin, a similar effect has not been demonstrated for the related pathogen Salmonella enterica. This raises questions about the different transport mechanisms of similar bacterial species and could provide clues about how resistant bacteria can be to everyday substances. From a sporting point of view, it should be noted that these differences could relate to different transport routes.
The importance of this research work is emphasized by the Rector of the University of Tübingen, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Karla Pollmann, also highlighted. She emphasizes that understanding the mechanisms by which environmental factors influence gene regulation in bacteria is essential for the development of future therapeutic approaches. The study contributes to the understanding of “low-level” antibiotic resistance, which is not based on classic resistance genes, but on regulatory adaptations to the environment. This could have far-reaching implications for clinical practice as physicians should more carefully consider the intake of food components and medications during antibiotic treatment.
The publication of the study, which sheds light on the precise regulatory contributions to chemical stimuli in Escherichia coli, is an important step towards improving treatment approaches. The findings could be important not only for E. coli, but also for other bacterial species that have similar resistance mechanisms. Further research in this area is needed to fully understand the implications of these discoveries. medizin-aspekte.de and Lab News also emphasize the relevance of the results for modern medicine.