Antibiotics not only kill pathogenic bacteria that cause infection, but also a large amount of “good” bacteria that make up the human microbiota. A new study has developed a method that could prevent the damage antibiotics can do to beneficial gut bacteria.
Reducing the effect of antibiotics on beneficial bacteria
Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) scientists have developed a new way to help protect the natural flora of the digestive system from the use of antibiotics. The team will do this thanks to an engineered living biotherapeutic product (eLBP) when given with commonly used antibiotics.
Scientists have managed to safely produce an enzyme that breaks down a class of antibiotics called beta-lactams. When given with antibiotics, eLBP blocks the antibiotics’ attempt to damage the gut microbiome, which is known as ‘dysbiosis’ and causes it to pose a risk factor for many autoimmune, metabolic and neurological diseases.
In the study carried out on mice, it was observed that eLBP, which breaks down antibiotics in the intestine, did not change the antibiotic concentration in the blood and helped to maintain the level of microbial diversity.
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Team, While eLBP will be available soon, lead author Andrés Cubillos-Ruiz said, “We are now focusing on bringing these live therapies to patients and finalizing the design of an effective, short and inexpensive clinical trial.” made statements.
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