Common gut bacteria can make diabetes, cancer drugs less effective: Study
A recent study has found that common gut bacteria can metabolize certain oral medications, potentially reducing the effectiveness of drugs used for migraines, depression, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer.
New Delhi: A recent study has found that common gut bacteria can metabolize certain oral medications, potentially reducing the effectiveness of drugs used for migraines, depression, type 2 diabetes, and prostate cancer.
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How Gut Bacteria Affect GPCR-Targeted Drugs
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and Yale University in the US discovered that gut bacteria interact with oral drugs that target cellular receptors called GPCRs (G protein-coupled receptors). These receptors are crucial in many treatments, with over 400 FDA-approved medications designed to act on them.
Importance of Personalized Medicine
According to Qihao Wu, Assistant Professor at the Pitt School of Pharmacy, understanding how gut bacteria affect GPCR-targeted drugs is key to advancing personalized medicine. This research may pave the way for improved drug design and optimized treatments for better safety and efficacy.
Why Drug Effectiveness Varies
The effectiveness of a drug differs from person to person due to factors like age, genetics, and diet. Recent discoveries highlight that gut microbiota also plays a role by breaking down orally administered drugs, altering their chemical composition and potentially reducing their intended effects.
Lab Study on Gut Bacteria and Drug Breakdown
To explore this further, scientists built a synthetic microbial community with 30 common bacterial strains from the human gut. They tested 127 GPCR-targeting drugs individually in the lab to see how bacteria would react.
- The bacterial mix metabolized 30 of the 127 drugs.
- 12 of these drugs were heavily metabolized, meaning their concentration was significantly reduced as they transformed into different chemical compounds.
Impact on Drug Effectiveness
The study, published in Nature Chemistry, suggests that specific gut bacteria could make GPCR-targeting drugs less effective by altering their chemical structure.
The Need for Further Research
Researchers emphasized the need for further studies to understand the impact on human patients. They also advised individuals not to stop or change their prescribed medication without consulting their healthcare provider.
