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Am considering taking PQQ supplement. When researching it, it says it is quinoline. Does anyone know if it’s related to quinolone? Hope not, as that’s what’s in FQ’s
llrueda
8 years ago
(Linda)- thank you for the response and yes I have GI issues and loss of hunger. I can eat once I start, but the wanting to eat has gone away. (not sure if anyone else has had this)
(Lisa M)- when you took Colostrum did it help right away?
(Bob)- Thanks for the response and I am very scared to see the Neurologist because I feel so weak but its all over and its muscle related. ( I can walk and lift normal weight ) but my muscles shake or get tired really fast, scary stuff.
I sure Hope I can get better with time and share my healing story with everyone. Thank you thank you for all the support !
Nicole Reedy
8 years ago
Yes I do Debbie. Try my name and West Vancouver, Canada.
Steve
8 years ago
I just wanted to stop by and say to everyone do not quit. I say this after taking at least five doses of 750mg Levaquin along with 800 MG of motrin at some point. Also two first rib resections, a loss of a Brother, a Mother with cancer, a Father with cancer, loss of a job/well being, loss of friends, a wrecked body, financial crumble multiple times, living in a tent twice and through two major storms that flattened it all, disposition traveling the country for my Wife’s new found travel job, losing my wedding ring, and the frowns of my three here alone, is enough to make me want to give up. But for what, to let it endure over me? I think not and will never enter such a useless way of thinking to manifest it. Even though I may have almost every reason to say bye. I almost died and warded off things way better before it. Every day is a struggle, and I know for sure all of them. For some it helps to know their not alone. In this case it goes far beyond that, and concern for You is great. Try for Peace, rest, good diet, detoxing, meditating, self control, somehow thankfulness in the storm. The storm may never end for many, but something tells me good is with me. Keeping me going to support others, who know my hurt. There are actually many people who actually give a care. And the measure of deep seeded hope, is constantly on the mind for You. Your family and Friends are affected, but don’t forget You. Cause you can’t, and you yet have to endure to present a better way. Be inspired by the ones who do Love You, along with a fact that there is more than this. Be inspired by the great mind that will never leave and keep a positive mind/heart connection no matter pain. Here’s hoping some spirit be added to you, and have endurance. No goodbyes…..
Virginia
8 years ago
Lisa, I want to thank you for all you are doing to help us Floxies! I’ve got so much good information from your very thorough site, and your compassionate and knowledgeable comments are so helpful too. I’ve donated a bit to your site; you work so hard!
Steven
8 years ago
She is a force not overshadowed, and has seen a partial victory. Yet a big one, and more to follow behind. God Bless all who care and do give thier live’s time for others. Thanks Lisa and all researches striving to help, no matter what. Sweet victory… No bitterness. Lisa, instead of being bitter, has walked around the outskirts of bitterness. Enjoy this Victory greatly.
I HAVE SOME AWESOME AND EXCITING NEWS. I FINALLY SAW A COMMERCIAL FROM THE FDA TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FLUROQUNOLONE USAGE !!!!!!!! I LIVE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THEY MAKE THIS POISON, I COULD NOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU ALL. FINALLY THERE IS A WARNING THAT WILL BE SEEN, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. ALL THE E- MAILS AND PHONE CALLS TO THE FDA ARE PAYING OFF….WE ARE SAVING OTHERS FROM HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE !!!!!! BEST OF HEALTH TO ALL 🙂
Carrie
8 years ago
Hi, I’m knew to your site but 1 and 1/2 years into Cipro poisoning. I signed up for FDA Med Watch alerts about a year ago. This one came out this week. It doesn’t stope the problem but it is a step in the right direction.
MedWatch logoMedWatch – The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Drugs: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Advises Restricting Use for Certain Uncomplicated Infections
AUDIENCE: Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Pharmacy, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.
An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically (i.e. tablets, capsules, and injectable) are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together. These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.
As a result, FDA is requiring the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs to be updated to reflect this new safety information. FDA is continuing to investigate safety issues with fluoroquinolones and will update the public with additional information if it becomes available.
See the FDA Drug Safety Communication for a list of currently available FDA approved fluoroquinolones for systemic use.
BACKGROUND: The safety issues described in the Drug Safety Communication were also discussed at an FDA Advisory Committee meeting in November 2015.
RECOMMENDATION: Patients should contact your health care professional immediately if you experience any serious side effects while taking your fluoroquinolone medicine. Some signs and symptoms of serious side effects include tendon, joint and muscle pain, a “pins and needles” tingling or pricking sensation, confusion, and hallucinations. Patients should talk with your health care professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Health care professionals should stop systemic fluoroquinolone treatment immediately if a patient reports serious side effects, and switch to a non-fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug to complete the patient’s treatment course.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the FDA Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:
Good news sometimes comes waaay later than it should. Yet the more sweeter. Justice may be far away for many and never fully attained, but it just may keep at bay a need for it, for many more.
F
8 years ago
I am happy for you Americans, but it doesn’t do us Canadians much good. Nothing from Health Canada.
Debs
8 years ago
The problem is, at times an antibiotic is actually needed of course, sepsis being one example. My life when I contracted sepsis was saved in this way with IV Flucloxacillin, Although It unfortunately left me injured further, ( as I should never have been prescribed it due to my specific allergy to an antibiotic from another class, ) it was still of course preferable to a FQ or potentially dying.
I have done a lot of research in this area over a very long time, & there is actually NO such thing as a safe allopathic drug, antibiotic or otherwise .. period.
ALL allopathic drugs carry a toxic profile of course, some profiles are just more toxic than others, & as a result of this more serious toxic profile, they will often carry the potential for causing more serious injuries. For example when it comes to antibiotics, the FQs Macrobid Bactrim & Flagyl along with a few other antibiotics less often prescribed, are on my personal ‘ do not touch with a bargepole if I have anything to do with it ‘ list .
The Penicillins, Cephlasporins & Doxycycline, have a more ‘ benign toxic profile than the above & have actually been found to be ( allergies apart ) generally the ‘ better tolerated ‘ antibiotics for us, IF one is actually necessary, ( & this in fact is the case for everyone, not just us floxies. ) if we DO NEED an antibiotic, these DO tend to be the antibiotics which generally are better tolerated, although ANY drug at ANY time taken at ANY dose can potentially injure a person, depending on their own personal circumstances. Taking ANY antibiotic potentially carries risk, & as a result it is NEVER ideal, but sometimes we just do NOT have a choice in the matter, that’s IF we wish to remain alive.
If anyone is suffering from allergies I have found a Natural Antihistamine, No side effects and it actually works. Its called BORAGE. You use it as a tea, I haven’t found tea bags of it yet but bags of loose tea leaves just steep it in boiling ( Bottled water ) for 8- 10 minutes and drink it, you can add a sweetener to it if you must, it has an earthy flavor, Very inexpensive $3 for a bag of it. Most importantly it really works. 🙂 Health to All.
L
8 years ago
Hey everyone, just wanted to post something that may be of help overall. I had a blood test done (there is no name on it but it measures levels of vitamins and minerals and ALSO some amino acids. All but two of my levels were in the normal range. One low was copper (odd since I eat a lot of copper containing foods, but just as cipro depletes mag and calcium it must do the same with copper.) BUT this is what I found so interesting. The other low one was cysteine, an amino acid. Now, I had been supplementing with N-acetyl cysteine—but apparently in too low a dose. And guess what it does? It helps your body replenish GLUTATHIONE! I think this is something everyone might want to be tested for, since we already know how much glutathione helps us. (L, formerly known as Linda, and working to come up with an unpronouncable symbol in lieu of my name 😉 )
joanneg
8 years ago
Hi Everyone,
I thought you all might be interested in reading this research paper.
It addresses the oxidative damage that fq’s and even other antibiotics cause, and which antibiotics that don’t cause this, also what can help while taking them.
Their next study is how to help after the damage has been done. I’m wondering if they discovered anything more since this was done in 2013?? There is a phone number at the end of the article I may just call it or even better Lisa B. maybe you can call and see if they found a way to heal this damage??
Also, there was a photo of a healthy cell and a cell after the antibiotic damage, but it didn’t copy.
Dodging antibiotic side effects
Date: Jul 3, 2013
New insights into how antibiotics damage human cells suggest novel strategies for making long-term antibiotic use safer
Antibiotics cause oxidative stress in cells, which leads to cellular damage. For example, in healthy cells (left), mitochondria, which are labeled yellow here, are long and highly branched. But in cells treated with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (right), mitochondria are abnormally short and unbranched, and they do not function as well. Image credit: Sameer Kalghatgi and Catherine S. Spina.
A team of scientists at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University has discovered why long-term treatment with many common antibiotics can cause harmful side effects — and they have uncovered two easy strategies that could help prevent these dangerous responses. They reported the results in the July 3rd issue of Science Translational Medicine.
“Clinical levels of antibiotics can cause oxidative stress that can lead to damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in human cells, but this effect can be alleviated by antioxidants,” said Jim Collins, Ph.D., who led the study. Collins, a pioneer of synthetic biology and Core Faculty member at the Wyss Institute, is also the William F. Warren Distinguished Professor at Boston University, where he leads the Center of Synthetic Biology.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics freely, thinking that they harm bacteria while leaving human tissue unscathed. But over the years reports have piled up about the occasional side effects of various antibiotics, including tendonitis, inner-ear problems and hearing loss, diarrhea, impaired kidney function, and other problems.
Collins suspected these side effects occurred when antibiotics triggered oxidative stress — a condition in which cells produce chemically reactive oxygen molecules that damage the bacteria’s DNA and enzymes, as well as the membrane that encloses the cell.
Collins’ team had already discovered that antibiotics that kill bacteria do so by triggering oxidative stress in the bacteria. They wondered whether antibiotics caused side effects by triggering oxidative stress in the mitochondria, a bacterium-like organelle that supplies human cells with energy.
Sameer Kalghatgi, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow in Collins’ laboratory who is now Senior Plasma Scientist at EP Technologies in Akron, Ohio, and Catherine S. Spina, a M.D./Ph.D. candidate at Boston University and researcher at the Wyss Institute, first tested whether clinical levels of three antibiotics — ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, kanamycin — each cause oxidative stress in cultured human cells. They found that all of these drugs were safe after six hours of treatment, but longer-term treatment of about four days caused the mitochondria to malfunction.
Kalghatgi and Spina then did a series of biochemical tests, which showed that the same three antibiotics damaged the DNA, proteins and lipids of cultured human cells — exactly what one would expect from oxidative stress.
The results mean that “doctors should only prescribe antibiotics when they’re called for, and patients should only ask for antibiotics when they have a serious bacterial infection,” Collins said.
The team also treated mice with the same three antibiotics in mouse-sized doses similar to what patients receive in the clinic. Long-term treatment with each of the three antibiotics damaged the animal’s lipids and caused levels of glutathione, one of the body’s natural antioxidants, to fall — another sign of oxidative stress.
To make a difference in the clinic, however, the scientists still needed a way to prevent antibiotic-induced oxidative stress — or a way to remediate it as it was occurring. They found both. They were able to prevent oxidative stress by using a bacteriostatic antibiotic — an antibiotic such as tetracycline that stops bacteria from multiplying but does not kill them. They could also ease oxidative stress by mopping up chemically reactive oxygen molecules with an FDA-approved antioxidant called N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, that’s already used to help treat children with cystic fibrosis.
The new results come on the heels of two other recent breakthroughs on antibiotic treatment from Collins’ group — a report in Nature showing that viruses in the gut that infect bacteria harbor genes that confer antibiotic resistance, and another report in Science Translational Medicine showing that silver can boost the effectiveness of many widely used antibiotics.
“Jim and his team are moving at lightning speed toward unlocking the medical mysteries that stand in the way of safe and effective antibiotic treatment,” said Don Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., Wyss Institute Founding Director. “Doctors have known for years that antibiotics occasionally cause serious side effects, and Jim’s new findings offer not one but two exciting new strategies that could address this long-neglected public health problem.”
Next, Collins plans more animal studies to work out the best ways to remediate oxidative stress. But since both bacteriostatic antibiotics and NAC are already FDA-approved, doctors might be using this strategy soon.
“We’re interested in seeing if this could be moved toward the clinic,” Collins said.
This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health Director’s Pioneer Award Program, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. In addition to Collins, Kalghatgi, and Spina, the research team included James C. Costello, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team who’s now an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Ruben Morones-Ramirez, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team who is now a professor at Universidad Autònoma de Nuevo Leon in Mexico; Shimyn Slomovic, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team; Anthony Molina, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine; Orian Shirihai, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Boston University School of Medicine, and Marc Liesa, Ph.D., a research associate on Shirihai’s team at Boston University School of Medicine.
PRESS CONTACTS
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
Dan Ferber dan.ferber@wyss.harvard.edu
+1 617-432-8517
Cindy Jones
8 years ago
WHy have my cpmments been removed.
Cindy Jones
8 years ago
Drs cannot be trusted. they prescribe all manner of crap. I am not bothering with them
Well I just got back from my Neuro for a nerve conduction study. Was painful but very happy I went as all was normal:) no doubt I’m sure I have SFN, but happy the extent of damage is not significant to show up on the test. My Neuro thinks because of my right leg weakness I have MS, but I highly doubt that! After today though, no more tests for a while:)
Nicole Reedy, thanks for your reply. I would love to stay in touch with you. Are you on Facebook?
Am considering taking PQQ supplement. When researching it, it says it is quinoline. Does anyone know if it’s related to quinolone? Hope not, as that’s what’s in FQ’s
(Linda)- thank you for the response and yes I have GI issues and loss of hunger. I can eat once I start, but the wanting to eat has gone away. (not sure if anyone else has had this)
(Lisa M)- when you took Colostrum did it help right away?
(Bob)- Thanks for the response and I am very scared to see the Neurologist because I feel so weak but its all over and its muscle related. ( I can walk and lift normal weight ) but my muscles shake or get tired really fast, scary stuff.
I sure Hope I can get better with time and share my healing story with everyone. Thank you thank you for all the support !
Yes I do Debbie. Try my name and West Vancouver, Canada.
I just wanted to stop by and say to everyone do not quit. I say this after taking at least five doses of 750mg Levaquin along with 800 MG of motrin at some point. Also two first rib resections, a loss of a Brother, a Mother with cancer, a Father with cancer, loss of a job/well being, loss of friends, a wrecked body, financial crumble multiple times, living in a tent twice and through two major storms that flattened it all, disposition traveling the country for my Wife’s new found travel job, losing my wedding ring, and the frowns of my three here alone, is enough to make me want to give up. But for what, to let it endure over me? I think not and will never enter such a useless way of thinking to manifest it. Even though I may have almost every reason to say bye. I almost died and warded off things way better before it. Every day is a struggle, and I know for sure all of them. For some it helps to know their not alone. In this case it goes far beyond that, and concern for You is great. Try for Peace, rest, good diet, detoxing, meditating, self control, somehow thankfulness in the storm. The storm may never end for many, but something tells me good is with me. Keeping me going to support others, who know my hurt. There are actually many people who actually give a care. And the measure of deep seeded hope, is constantly on the mind for You. Your family and Friends are affected, but don’t forget You. Cause you can’t, and you yet have to endure to present a better way. Be inspired by the ones who do Love You, along with a fact that there is more than this. Be inspired by the great mind that will never leave and keep a positive mind/heart connection no matter pain. Here’s hoping some spirit be added to you, and have endurance. No goodbyes…..
Lisa, I want to thank you for all you are doing to help us Floxies! I’ve got so much good information from your very thorough site, and your compassionate and knowledgeable comments are so helpful too. I’ve donated a bit to your site; you work so hard!
She is a force not overshadowed, and has seen a partial victory. Yet a big one, and more to follow behind. God Bless all who care and do give thier live’s time for others. Thanks Lisa and all researches striving to help, no matter what. Sweet victory… No bitterness. Lisa, instead of being bitter, has walked around the outskirts of bitterness. Enjoy this Victory greatly.
I HAVE SOME AWESOME AND EXCITING NEWS. I FINALLY SAW A COMMERCIAL FROM THE FDA TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FLUROQUNOLONE USAGE !!!!!!!! I LIVE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THEY MAKE THIS POISON, I COULD NOT WAIT TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU ALL. FINALLY THERE IS A WARNING THAT WILL BE SEEN, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. ALL THE E- MAILS AND PHONE CALLS TO THE FDA ARE PAYING OFF….WE ARE SAVING OTHERS FROM HAVING TO GO THROUGH THIS NIGHTMARE !!!!!! BEST OF HEALTH TO ALL 🙂
Hi, I’m knew to your site but 1 and 1/2 years into Cipro poisoning. I signed up for FDA Med Watch alerts about a year ago. This one came out this week. It doesn’t stope the problem but it is a step in the right direction.
MedWatch logoMedWatch – The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program
Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial Drugs: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Advises Restricting Use for Certain Uncomplicated Infections
AUDIENCE: Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Pharmacy, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is advising that the serious side effects associated with fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs generally outweigh the benefits for patients with sinusitis, bronchitis, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections who have other treatment options. For patients with these conditions, fluoroquinolones should be reserved for those who do not have alternative treatment options.
An FDA safety review has shown that fluoroquinolones when used systemically (i.e. tablets, capsules, and injectable) are associated with disabling and potentially permanent serious side effects that can occur together. These side effects can involve the tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and central nervous system.
As a result, FDA is requiring the drug labels and Medication Guides for all fluoroquinolone antibacterial drugs to be updated to reflect this new safety information. FDA is continuing to investigate safety issues with fluoroquinolones and will update the public with additional information if it becomes available.
See the FDA Drug Safety Communication for a list of currently available FDA approved fluoroquinolones for systemic use.
BACKGROUND: The safety issues described in the Drug Safety Communication were also discussed at an FDA Advisory Committee meeting in November 2015.
RECOMMENDATION: Patients should contact your health care professional immediately if you experience any serious side effects while taking your fluoroquinolone medicine. Some signs and symptoms of serious side effects include tendon, joint and muscle pain, a “pins and needles” tingling or pricking sensation, confusion, and hallucinations. Patients should talk with your health care professional if you have any questions or concerns.
Health care professionals should stop systemic fluoroquinolone treatment immediately if a patient reports serious side effects, and switch to a non-fluoroquinolone antibacterial drug to complete the patient’s treatment course.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the FDA Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm500665.htm
Hi all, just wanted to share this short article posted on yahoo news!
https://www.yahoo.com/news/fda-warns-potential-side-effects-151340715.html
Good news sometimes comes waaay later than it should. Yet the more sweeter. Justice may be far away for many and never fully attained, but it just may keep at bay a need for it, for many more.
I am happy for you Americans, but it doesn’t do us Canadians much good. Nothing from Health Canada.
The problem is, at times an antibiotic is actually needed of course, sepsis being one example. My life when I contracted sepsis was saved in this way with IV Flucloxacillin, Although It unfortunately left me injured further, ( as I should never have been prescribed it due to my specific allergy to an antibiotic from another class, ) it was still of course preferable to a FQ or potentially dying.
I have done a lot of research in this area over a very long time, & there is actually NO such thing as a safe allopathic drug, antibiotic or otherwise .. period.
ALL allopathic drugs carry a toxic profile of course, some profiles are just more toxic than others, & as a result of this more serious toxic profile, they will often carry the potential for causing more serious injuries. For example when it comes to antibiotics, the FQs Macrobid Bactrim & Flagyl along with a few other antibiotics less often prescribed, are on my personal ‘ do not touch with a bargepole if I have anything to do with it ‘ list .
The Penicillins, Cephlasporins & Doxycycline, have a more ‘ benign toxic profile than the above & have actually been found to be ( allergies apart ) generally the ‘ better tolerated ‘ antibiotics for us, IF one is actually necessary, ( & this in fact is the case for everyone, not just us floxies. ) if we DO NEED an antibiotic, these DO tend to be the antibiotics which generally are better tolerated, although ANY drug at ANY time taken at ANY dose can potentially injure a person, depending on their own personal circumstances. Taking ANY antibiotic potentially carries risk, & as a result it is NEVER ideal, but sometimes we just do NOT have a choice in the matter, that’s IF we wish to remain alive.
If anyone is suffering from allergies I have found a Natural Antihistamine, No side effects and it actually works. Its called BORAGE. You use it as a tea, I haven’t found tea bags of it yet but bags of loose tea leaves just steep it in boiling ( Bottled water ) for 8- 10 minutes and drink it, you can add a sweetener to it if you must, it has an earthy flavor, Very inexpensive $3 for a bag of it. Most importantly it really works. 🙂 Health to All.
Hey everyone, just wanted to post something that may be of help overall. I had a blood test done (there is no name on it but it measures levels of vitamins and minerals and ALSO some amino acids. All but two of my levels were in the normal range. One low was copper (odd since I eat a lot of copper containing foods, but just as cipro depletes mag and calcium it must do the same with copper.) BUT this is what I found so interesting. The other low one was cysteine, an amino acid. Now, I had been supplementing with N-acetyl cysteine—but apparently in too low a dose. And guess what it does? It helps your body replenish GLUTATHIONE! I think this is something everyone might want to be tested for, since we already know how much glutathione helps us. (L, formerly known as Linda, and working to come up with an unpronouncable symbol in lieu of my name 😉 )
Hi Everyone,
I thought you all might be interested in reading this research paper.
It addresses the oxidative damage that fq’s and even other antibiotics cause, and which antibiotics that don’t cause this, also what can help while taking them.
Their next study is how to help after the damage has been done. I’m wondering if they discovered anything more since this was done in 2013?? There is a phone number at the end of the article I may just call it or even better Lisa B. maybe you can call and see if they found a way to heal this damage??
Also, there was a photo of a healthy cell and a cell after the antibiotic damage, but it didn’t copy.
Dodging antibiotic side effects
Date: Jul 3, 2013
New insights into how antibiotics damage human cells suggest novel strategies for making long-term antibiotic use safer
Antibiotics cause oxidative stress in cells, which leads to cellular damage. For example, in healthy cells (left), mitochondria, which are labeled yellow here, are long and highly branched. But in cells treated with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin (right), mitochondria are abnormally short and unbranched, and they do not function as well. Image credit: Sameer Kalghatgi and Catherine S. Spina.
A team of scientists at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University has discovered why long-term treatment with many common antibiotics can cause harmful side effects — and they have uncovered two easy strategies that could help prevent these dangerous responses. They reported the results in the July 3rd issue of Science Translational Medicine.
“Clinical levels of antibiotics can cause oxidative stress that can lead to damage to DNA, proteins and lipids in human cells, but this effect can be alleviated by antioxidants,” said Jim Collins, Ph.D., who led the study. Collins, a pioneer of synthetic biology and Core Faculty member at the Wyss Institute, is also the William F. Warren Distinguished Professor at Boston University, where he leads the Center of Synthetic Biology.
Doctors often prescribe antibiotics freely, thinking that they harm bacteria while leaving human tissue unscathed. But over the years reports have piled up about the occasional side effects of various antibiotics, including tendonitis, inner-ear problems and hearing loss, diarrhea, impaired kidney function, and other problems.
Collins suspected these side effects occurred when antibiotics triggered oxidative stress — a condition in which cells produce chemically reactive oxygen molecules that damage the bacteria’s DNA and enzymes, as well as the membrane that encloses the cell.
Collins’ team had already discovered that antibiotics that kill bacteria do so by triggering oxidative stress in the bacteria. They wondered whether antibiotics caused side effects by triggering oxidative stress in the mitochondria, a bacterium-like organelle that supplies human cells with energy.
Sameer Kalghatgi, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow in Collins’ laboratory who is now Senior Plasma Scientist at EP Technologies in Akron, Ohio, and Catherine S. Spina, a M.D./Ph.D. candidate at Boston University and researcher at the Wyss Institute, first tested whether clinical levels of three antibiotics — ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, kanamycin — each cause oxidative stress in cultured human cells. They found that all of these drugs were safe after six hours of treatment, but longer-term treatment of about four days caused the mitochondria to malfunction.
Kalghatgi and Spina then did a series of biochemical tests, which showed that the same three antibiotics damaged the DNA, proteins and lipids of cultured human cells — exactly what one would expect from oxidative stress.
The results mean that “doctors should only prescribe antibiotics when they’re called for, and patients should only ask for antibiotics when they have a serious bacterial infection,” Collins said.
The team also treated mice with the same three antibiotics in mouse-sized doses similar to what patients receive in the clinic. Long-term treatment with each of the three antibiotics damaged the animal’s lipids and caused levels of glutathione, one of the body’s natural antioxidants, to fall — another sign of oxidative stress.
To make a difference in the clinic, however, the scientists still needed a way to prevent antibiotic-induced oxidative stress — or a way to remediate it as it was occurring. They found both. They were able to prevent oxidative stress by using a bacteriostatic antibiotic — an antibiotic such as tetracycline that stops bacteria from multiplying but does not kill them. They could also ease oxidative stress by mopping up chemically reactive oxygen molecules with an FDA-approved antioxidant called N-acetylcysteine, or NAC, that’s already used to help treat children with cystic fibrosis.
The new results come on the heels of two other recent breakthroughs on antibiotic treatment from Collins’ group — a report in Nature showing that viruses in the gut that infect bacteria harbor genes that confer antibiotic resistance, and another report in Science Translational Medicine showing that silver can boost the effectiveness of many widely used antibiotics.
“Jim and his team are moving at lightning speed toward unlocking the medical mysteries that stand in the way of safe and effective antibiotic treatment,” said Don Ingber, M.D., Ph.D., Wyss Institute Founding Director. “Doctors have known for years that antibiotics occasionally cause serious side effects, and Jim’s new findings offer not one but two exciting new strategies that could address this long-neglected public health problem.”
Next, Collins plans more animal studies to work out the best ways to remediate oxidative stress. But since both bacteriostatic antibiotics and NAC are already FDA-approved, doctors might be using this strategy soon.
“We’re interested in seeing if this could be moved toward the clinic,” Collins said.
This work was funded by the National Institutes of Health Director’s Pioneer Award Program, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University. In addition to Collins, Kalghatgi, and Spina, the research team included James C. Costello, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team who’s now an Instructor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School; Ruben Morones-Ramirez, Ph.D., a former postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team who is now a professor at Universidad Autònoma de Nuevo Leon in Mexico; Shimyn Slomovic, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow on Collins’ team; Anthony Molina, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine; Orian Shirihai, Ph.D., Associate Professor at Boston University School of Medicine, and Marc Liesa, Ph.D., a research associate on Shirihai’s team at Boston University School of Medicine.
PRESS CONTACTS
Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University
Dan Ferber
dan.ferber@wyss.harvard.edu
+1 617-432-8517
WHy have my cpmments been removed.
Drs cannot be trusted. they prescribe all manner of crap. I am not bothering with them
Well I just got back from my Neuro for a nerve conduction study. Was painful but very happy I went as all was normal:) no doubt I’m sure I have SFN, but happy the extent of damage is not significant to show up on the test. My Neuro thinks because of my right leg weakness I have MS, but I highly doubt that! After today though, no more tests for a while:)
Exactly L,
It doesn’t change anything. I’d rather just move forward with my life and no more Neuro visits lol:) life is too short !