What the study showed
So, experts analyzed 144 drugs that are most often prescribed by doctors and their effect on the 27 most common strains of bacteria that inhabit the intestines.
It is noted that at first, scientists found out that antibiotics from the family of tetracyclines and macrolides not only stopped the growth of beneficial bacteria (bacteriostatic effect), but also led to their death. However, half of the strains of these bacteria died after exposure to tetracycline and macrolides.
The three most commonly used antibiotics, doxycycline, erythromycin, and azithromycin, have killed several strains of bacteria, while others have been temporarily suppressed.
Subsequently, scientists analyzed the effect of 1200 drugs already approved for humans to find an “antidote” to antibiotics. In the course of the study, scientists really managed to find antidotes that, when combined, protected some bacterial strains from death, while not reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria.
As you know, no antidote can completely preserve the biodiversity of the microbiota after an antibiotic, but it can reduce the toxic effect.
Scientists are now conducting further experiments to pinpoint combinations and dosages of drugs for optimal gut microbiota protection.
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