New compounds found to safeguard gut microbiome from antibiotics.
Researchers have identified antidote drugs that can protect certain gut microbes from the negative impact of antibiotics without compromising their effectiveness against harmful bacteria. Antibiotics can harm the helpful microbes living in the gut, resulting in an imbalance that can lead to recurrent gastrointestinal problems and long-term health consequences. The study analyzed the effects of 144 different antibiotics on the abundance of the most common gut bacteria and identified several promising drugs, including anticoagulants and anti-inflammatory medications, that can protect gut bacteria without compromising antibiotics' effectiveness. Further research is needed to identify optimum and personalized combinations of antidote drugs and to exclude any potential long-term effects on the gut microbiome.