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Drugs in focus: influence on our microbiome revealed!
Study by the University of Tübingen shows how common medications influence the microbiome and increase the risk of infection.
Drugs in focus: influence on our microbiome revealed!
A current study led by the University of Tübingen has been published in the renowned specialist journalNatureexamined the shocking effects of 53 common non-antibiotics on the human microbiome. In this comprehensive analysis, the research team led by Professor Lisa Maier concluded that about a third of the drugs tested prevented the growth ofSalmonella, a pathogen that can cause severe diarrhea. The results suggest that these drugs significantly disrupt the balance of microbes in the gut.
The study showed that taking these medications not only inhibits beneficial intestinal bacteria, but also pathogenic germs such asSalmonella Typhimuriumprovides an advantage. In tests on mice, the administration of certain drugs led to a drastic increase in salmonella and a serious course of salmonellosis. In addition, the drugs reduced the overall biomass of intestinal flora and reduced biodiversity, which could have potentially dangerous consequences for human health.
The role of the microbiome
The microbiome is an essential ecosystem of microorganisms that is of great importance to human health. The research has raised awareness that a variety of medications, not just antibiotics, can have negative effects on this microbiota. According to the study, it is necessary to systematically test the effects of drugs on the microbiome in order to develop safer and more effective therapies with fewer side effects.
The Tübingen researchers are calling for special attention to commonly prescribed drugs such as antihistamines, antidepressants and hormone preparations. Early risk detection is crucial and a high-throughput method should be developed that allows rapid testing of the effects of drugs on the microbiome. This could not only revolutionize drug discovery, but also advance the development of more suitable therapies for patients.
Long-term consequences of pharmacotherapy
The long-term consequences of pharmacotherapies on the microbiome remain largely unclear. A study inNature Communicationsexamined 41 drug classes and found changes in bacterial diversity in 19 of them. The effects are particularly pronounced with antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors and some psychotropic drugs. The lack of guidelines to promote microbiota maintenance during drug therapy is considered critical.
Dr. Maria Júlia Segantini is one of the voices emphasizing that biological therapies such as probiotics can be useful to compensate for deficiencies. Symptomatic occurrence of dysbiosis, such as bloating, diarrhea or fatigue, is among the concerns that can be caused by the changes in the microbiome. While the intestinal flora often recovers after stopping the medication, it is important to use all medications carefully and to use narrow-spectrum antibiotics, especially when it comes to antibiotics.
These findings from uni-tuebingen.de as well as medlabportal.de represent a challenge to the medical community. The need to thoroughly assess the microbiological impact of drugs could form the basis for future change in healthcare. The deutsch.medscape.com states that there is a growing understanding of the relevance of the microbiome in various medical areas, which opens up new opportunities for patient-centered medicine.