Tetracyclines: a pleitropic family of compounds with promising therapeutic properties. Review of the literature

Application of zwitterionic ionic liquid-based capsule phase microextraction for the HPLC-UV determination of doxycycline in human urine samples

Herein, we describe the utilization of an ionic liquid (IL)/Carbowax 20 M-functionalized sol-gel sorbent for the capsule phase microextraction of doxycycline in authentic human urine samples. This green sample preparation method combines stirring and filtration in a single, standalone sample preparation device, streamlining the sample preparation process. Additionally, it provides rapid extraction kinetics and high extraction efficiency. The experimental conditions (i.e. sorbent type, sample pH and volume, extraction time, ionic strength, elution solvent, and volume) affecting the extraction efficiency of the analyte were studied and optimized. The method was linear in the range of 0.1 - 5.0 μg/mL with a coefficient of determination higher than 0.995. The achieved LOD was found to be 0.02 μg/mL while the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.1 μg/mL. The IL/Carbowax 20 M-functionalized microextraction capsules were reusable at least 30 times for urine samples. The relative recoveries (% RR) ranged between 93.4 - 115.9 % while the precision (expressed as % RSD) was better than 8.1 % in all cases. The robustness of the microextraction procedure and the instrumental HPLC method were separately investigated using Plackett-Burman experimental designs. The analytical protocol demonstrated cost-effectiveness, ease of handling, and speed, leading to increased sample throughput. The green character of the developed method was evaluated using the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Blue Applicability Grade Index (BAGI). Finally, the method's applicability was demonstrated by analyzing authentic human urine samples after oral administration of a doxycycline-containing pharmaceutical formulation.

High-generation tetracyclines shifted microbial community composition and induced the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in soil

Tetracyclines (TCs) have been widely detected in agricultural soil due to their widespread use in animal husbandry. The impact of low-generation TCs, i.e., the first- and second- generations, on soil ecosystem has attracted widespread attention. However, the dynamic response of soil microbial community to high-generation TCs, i.e., the third- and fourth- generations, remains largely unknown. Herein, we characterized the variations in the composition, diversity and succession of microbial community and the proliferation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) under the stress of four generations of TCs in brown soil and red soil. The results demonstrated that the exposure of low- and high- generation TCs consistently decreased the alpha diversity and stimulated the succession rate of microbial community in soil. High-generation TCs strongly shifted microbial community composition by reducing community resilience. The complexity of microbial networks and cross-module associations were strengthened to cope with the stress of high-generation TCs in soil. The abundance of ARGs was exacerbated by 1.75 times in response to the fourth-generation TCs compared to control in brown soil. The potential bacterial hosts of ARGs were more diverse in brown soil exposed to high-generation TCs, but the dominant hosts were not changed. These results highlight the potential ecological risk of the newly developed antibiotics, which is helpful for a comprehensive risk assessment of emerging contaminants.

Surgical management of unilateral restrictive strabismus in an 8-month-old dog

CASE HISTORY

An 8-month-old male, entire, mixed-breed dog was presented with a 1-month history of left exophthalmos and green mucopurulent ocular discharge. Subsequently, exophthalmos resolved but esotropia (medial strabismus) developed in the left eye, prompting referral to an ophthalmologist.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

At the initial referral consultation, enophthalmos and esotropia of the left eye were identified. The patient showed mild improvement after a 3-week tapering course of oral prednisolone and doxycycline. MRI was performed and showed left medial rectus muscle atrophy with increased contrast enhancement which was consistent with chronic extraocular muscle myositis (EOM). A forced duction test was performed to confirm the diagnosis of fibrosing esotropia, which is likely a sequela of chronic EOM.

DIAGNOSIS

Fibrosing esotropia presumably caused by untreated EOM.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

One month later, esotropia progressed to a marked ventro-medial strabismus resulting in visual deprivation. Surgical release of the ventral oblique, medial and ventral recti muscles was performed, resulting in immediate resolution of the enophthalmos. Despite a tapering post-operative course of oral prednisolone, mild esotropia was present 4 weeks later. In an effort to stabilise the globe position, the low dose of prednisolone was increased to a higher anti-inflammatory dose before slowly tapering over 2 months. The vision in the left eye was improved after surgery and has been maintained since without further treatment.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This is the first documented case of fibrosing esotropia in a young dog with prior signs of acute exophthalmos. Fibrosing esotropia has been documented in certain breeds or as a sequela to chronic EOM. In this patient, it was presumably caused by EOM, which was strongly supported by the case history, progression and MRI findings. Most historical reports of EOM described it as a bilateral condition that resolves with systemic corticosteroids at an anti-inflammatory dose. EOM has been shown to also present unilaterally and it can progress to strabismus if not promptly recognised and treated with systemic steroids. Surgical management can restore vision when severe strabismus results in visual deprivation.

Transdermal Delivery System of Doxycycline-Loaded Niosomal Gels: Toward Enhancing Doxycycline Stability

Doxycycline (DOX) is an antimicrobial agent that is susceptible to photosensitivity and thermal degradation. It addition, it causes gastrointestinal side effects when taken orally. Therefore, the development of alternative formulations is necessary to improve drug stability and promote patient compliance. The aim of the present study was to encapsulate DOX in niosomes as a nanocarrier to deliver DOX transdermally and enhance its stability in the formulation. DOX niosomes were prepared using nonionic surfactants, cholesterol, and dihexadecyl phosphate (DCP). After that, niosomes were characterized in terms of practical size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), morphology, and entrapment efficacy (EE%). DOX niosomal gels were then prepared using Carbopol and penetration enhancers (poly(ethylene glycol) 400 (PEG 400) and propylene glycol (PG)). The flux of DOX from the optimized formula was 322.86 μg/cm2/h over 5 h, which equates to 71.2% of DOX. Furthermore, neither the DOX niosomal gel (D3) nor the comparable blank niosomal gel had a negative influence on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. The findings of the antimicrobial effectiveness of DOX niosomes indicated that the niosomal formulation improved the antibacterial activity of DOX against E. coli. Permeation studies demonstrated significantly higher DOX permeation when the niosomal gel was applied to rat skin, compared to the conventional gel. Permeability parameters such as flux and the permeability coefficient increased more than 10-fold using the niosomal gels compared with those of conventional gels. In conclusion, a new niosomal gel formulation could serve as an effective alternative for the commercially available form of DOX.

Insights into the discovery and intervention of metalloproteinase in marine hazardous jellyfish

The proliferation of toxic organisms caused by changes in the marine environment, coupled with the rising human activities along the coastal lines, has resulted in an increasing number of stinging incidents, posing a serious threat to public health. Here, we evaluated the systemic toxicity of the venom in jellyfish Chrysaora quinquecirrha at both cellular and animal levels, and found that jellyfish tentacle extract (TE) has strong lethality accompanied by abnormal elevation of blood biochemical indicators and pathological changes. Joint analysis of transcriptome and proteome indicated that metalloproteinases are the predominant toxins in jellyfish. Specially, two key metalloproteinases DN6695_c0_g3 and DN8184_c0_g7 were identified by mass spectrometry of the red blood cell membrane and tetracycline hydrochloride (Tch) inhibition models. Structurally, molecular docking and kinetic analysis are employed and observed that Tch could inhibit the enzyme activity by binding to the hydrophobic pocket of the catalytic center. In this study, we demonstrated that Tch impedes the metalloproteinase activity thereby reducing the lethal effect of jellyfish, which suggests a potential strategy for combating the health threat of marine toxic jellyfish.

Metabolomics analysis of the lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 14917 response to antibiotic stress

BACKGROUND

Lactobacillus plantarum has been found to play a significant role in maintaining the balance of intestinal flora in the human gut. However, it is sensitive to commonly used antibiotics and is often incidentally killed during treatment. We attempted to identify a means to protect L. plantarum ATCC14917 from the metabolic changes caused by two commonly used antibiotics, ampicillin, and doxycycline. We examined the metabolic changes under ampicillin and doxycycline treatment and assessed the protective effects of adding key exogenous metabolites.

RESULTS

Using metabolomics, we found that under the stress of ampicillin or doxycycline, L. plantarum ATCC14917 exhibited reduced metabolic activity, with purine metabolism a key metabolic pathway involved in this change. We then screened the key biomarkers in this metabolic pathway, guanine and adenosine diphosphate (ADP). The exogenous addition of each of these two metabolites significantly reduced the lethality of ampicillin and doxycycline on L. plantarum ATCC14917. Because purine metabolism is closely related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the results showed that the addition of guanine or ADP reduced intracellular ROS levels in L. plantarum ATCC14917. Moreover, the killing effects of ampicillin and doxycycline on L. plantarum ATCC14917 were restored by the addition of a ROS accelerator in the presence of guanine or ADP.

CONCLUSIONS

The metabolic changes of L. plantarum ATCC14917 under antibiotic treatments were determined. Moreover, the metabolome information that was elucidated can be used to help L. plantarum cope with adverse stress, which will help probiotics become less vulnerable to antibiotics during clinical treatment.

Drug Repurposing of Selected Antibiotics: An Emerging Approach in Cancer Drug Discovery

Drug repurposing is a method of investigating new therapeutic applications for previously approved medications. This repurposing approach to "old" medications is now highly efficient, simple to arrange, and cost-effective and poses little risk of failure in treating a variety of disorders, including cancer. Drug repurposing for cancer therapy is currently a key topic of study. It is a way of exploring recent therapeutic applications for already-existing drugs. Theoretically, the repurposing strategy has various advantages over the recognized challenges of creating new molecular entities, including being faster, safer, easier, and less expensive. In the real world, several medications have been repurposed, including aspirin, metformin, and chloroquine. However, doctors and scientists address numerous challenges when repurposing drugs, such as the fact that most drugs are not cost-effective and are resistant to bacteria. So the goal of this review is to gather information regarding repurposing pharmaceuticals to make them more cost-effective and harder for bacteria to resist. Cancer patients are more susceptible to bacterial infections. Due to their weak immune systems, antibiotics help protect them from a variety of infectious diseases. Although antibiotics are not immune boosters, they do benefit the defense system by killing bacteria and slowing the growth of cancer cells. Their use also increases the therapeutic efficacy and helps avoid recurrence. Of late, antibiotics have been repurposed as potent anticancer agents because of the evolutionary relationship between the prokaryotic genome and mitochondrial DNA of eukaryotes. Anticancer antibiotics that prevent cancer cells from growing by interfering with their DNA and blocking growth of promoters, which include anthracyclines, daunorubicin, epirubicin, mitoxantrone, doxorubicin, and idarubicin, are another type of FDA-approved antibiotics used to treat cancer. According to the endosymbiotic hypothesis, prokaryotes and eukaryotes are thought to have an evolutionary relationship. Hence, in this study, we are trying to explore antibiotics that are necessary for treating diseases, including cancer, helping people reduce deaths associated with various infections, and substantially extending people's life expectancy and quality of life.

C9-Functionalized Doxycycline Analogs as Drug Candidates to Prevent Pathological α-Synuclein Aggregation and Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease Degeneration

Doxycycline, a semi-synthetic tetracycline, is a widely used antibiotic for treating mild-to-moderate infections, including skin problems. However, its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, combined with its ability to interfere with α-synuclein aggregation, make it an attractive candidate for repositioning in Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, the antibiotic activity of doxycycline restricts its potential use for long-term treatment of Parkinsonian patients. In the search for non-antibiotic tetracyclines that could operate against Parkinson's disease pathomechanisms, eighteen novel doxycycline derivatives were designed. Specifically, the dimethyl-amino group at C4 was reduced, resulting in limited antimicrobial activity, and several coupling reactions were performed at position C9 of the aromatic D ring, this position being one of the most reactive for introducing substituents. Using the Thioflavin-T assay, we found seven compounds were more effective than doxycycline in inhibiting α-synuclein aggregation. Furthermore, two of these derivatives exhibited better anti-inflammatory effects than doxycycline in a culture system of microglial cells used to model Parkinson's disease neuroinflammatory processes. Overall, through structure-activity relationship studies, we identified two newly designed tetracyclines as promising drug candidates for Parkinson's disease treatment.

Doxycycline protects against sepsis-induced endothelial glycocalyx shedding

Endothelial glycocalyx (eGC) covers the inner surface of the vessels and plays a role in vascular homeostasis. Syndecan is considered the "backbone" of this structure. Several studies have shown eGC shedding in sepsis and its involvement in organ dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) contribute to eGC shedding through their ability for syndecan-1 cleavage. This study aimed to investigate if doxycycline, a potent MMP inhibitor, could protect against eGC shedding in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis and if it could interrupt the vascular hyperpermeability, neutrophil transmigration, and microvascular impairment. Rats that received pretreatment with doxycycline before LPS displayed ultrastructural preservation of the eGC observed using transmission electronic microscopy of the lung and heart. In addition, these animals exhibited lower serum syndecan-1 levels, a biomarker of eGC injury, and lower perfused boundary region (PBR) in the mesenteric video capillaroscopy, which is inversely related to the eGC thickness compared with rats that only received LPS. Furthermore, this study revealed that doxycycline decreased sepsis-related vascular hyperpermeability in the lung and heart, reduced neutrophil transmigration in the peritoneal lavage and inside the lungs, and improved some microvascular parameters. These findings suggest that doxycycline protects against LPS-induced eGC shedding, and it could reduce vascular hyperpermeability, neutrophils transmigration, and microvascular impairment.

Preparation of a Carbon paste electrode with Active materials for the detection of Tetracycline

The Electrochemical sensor based on carbon-clay paste electrode (CCPE) was constructed for sensitive determination of Tetracycline (Tc). The mineralogical composition, morphology, structure and performance of CCPE were characterized using X-ray diffraction powder, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Cyclic Voltammetry analysis. The CCPE is constituted of two types of clay having the ratio 1/1 and 2/1 characteristic of kaolinite and montmorillonite clay respectively. Its porous structure is ascribed to the presence of graphite. The CCPE exhibited a good electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of Tc. The electrochemical kinetics and mechanism of Tc were proposed, showing that Tc electrocatalytic oxidation reaction was controlled by diffusion process and took place in three steps. A low concentration of Tc was detected by amperometry with the linear ranges of 0.5μM-0.8 μM (R2 = 0.98), the sensitivity was 8.01 μA/μM.cm2, the limit of detection and quantification were 5.16x10-3μM(S/N = 3) and 1.72x10-2μM respectively. Thus, the proposed electrode provides a promising and prospective CCPE sensing platform for the detection of Tc in the environment.

Eravacycline, an antibacterial drug, repurposed for pancreatic cancer therapy: insights from a molecular-based deep learning model

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains a serious threat to health, with limited effective therapeutic options, especially due to advanced stage at diagnosis and its inherent resistance to chemotherapy, making it one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The lack of clear treatment directions underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to address and manage this deadly condition. In this research, we repurpose drugs with potential anti-cancer activity using machine learning (ML).

METHODS

We tackle the problem by using a neural network trained on drug-target interaction information enriched with drug-drug interaction information, which has not been used for anti-cancer drug repurposing before. We focus on eravacycline, an antibacterial drug, which was selected and evaluated to assess its anti-cancer effects.

RESULTS

Eravacycline significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of BxPC-3 cells and induced apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the potential of drug repurposing for cancer treatment using ML. Eravacycline showed promising results in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, migration and inducing apoptosis in PDAC. These findings demonstrate that our developed ML drug repurposing models can be applied to a wide range of new oncology therapeutics, to identify potential anti-cancer agents. This highlights the potential and presents a promising approach for identifying new therapeutic options.

Consumption of non-antibacterial drugs may have negative impact on Helicobacter pylori colonization in the stomach

Background

Nineteen non-antibacterials were examined to show that their consumption for treatment of other diseases may inhibit Helicobacter pylori. Four antibiotics were used for comparison.

Materials and methods

Agar dilution method was used to examine the susceptibility of 20 H. pylori isolates to 4 antibiotics; metronidazole (MTZ), clarithromycin (CLR), amoxicillin (AMX), tetracycline (TET) and 19 non-antibacterials; proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), H2-blockers, bismuth subsalicylate (BSS), antifungals, statins, acetaminophen (ACE), aspirin (ASA), B-vitamins (B-Vits; Vit B1, Vit B6 and Vit Bcomplex) and vitamin C (Vit C). Blood agar plates were prepared with different concentrations of drugs and spot-inoculated with bacterial suspensions. Plates were incubated at 37 °C under microaerobic conditions and examined after 3-5 days. The isolate #20 that was mucoid and resistant to 19 drugs, including MTZ and SMV was tested against combined MTZ (8 μg/mL) and SMV (100 μg/mL). Results were analyzed statistically.

Results

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs, μg/mL) of drugs and the frequency of susceptible H. pylori were determined as MTZ (8, 80%), CLR (2, 90%), AMX (1, 100%), TET (0.5, 70%), PPIs (8-128, 80%), H2-blockers (2000-8000, 75-80%), BSS (15, 85%), antifungals (64-256, 30-80%), statins (100-250, 35-90%), ACE (40, 75%), ASA (800, 75%), B-Vits (5000-20000, 80-100%) and Vit C (2048, 85%). Susceptibility of H. pylori isolates to 16 out of 19 non-antimicrobials (75-100%) was almost similar to those of antibiotics (70-100%) (P-value >0.05). The highest susceptibility rate (100%) belonged to Vit B1, Vit B6 and AMX. Out of 20 H. pylori isolates, 17 (85%) were susceptible to ≥13 non-antimicrobials and 3 (15%) were susceptible to < 13 (P-value <0.05). Mucoid H. pylori showed susceptibility to combination of MTZ and SMV.

Conclusions

Most of non-antibacterials inhibited H. pylori isolates, similar to antibiotics but their MICs exceeded those of antibiotics and their plasma concentrations. At low plasma concentration, non-antimicrobials may act as weak antibacterials, antibiotic adjuvants and immunostimulators.

Rosacea: Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Correlates

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory condition of which there is no cure. The pathogenesis of rosacea is likely multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental contributions. Current understanding suggests that pro-inflammatory pathways involving cathelicidins and inflammasome complexes are central to rosacea pathogenesis. Common rosacea triggers modulate these pathways in a complex manner, which may contribute to the varying severity and clinical presentations of rosacea. Established and emerging rosacea treatments may owe their efficacy to their ability to target different players in these pro-inflammatory pathways. Improving our molecular understanding of rosacea will guide the development of new therapies and the use of combination therapies.

Minocycline as a potential anxiolytic drug: systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence in murine models

Minocycline is a tetracycline antibiotic with off-label use as an anti-inflammatory drug. Because it can cross the blood-brain barrier, minocycline has been proposed as an alternative treatment for psychiatric disorders, in which inflammation plays an important role. However, its beneficial effects on anxiety disorders are unclear. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of minocycline as an anxiolytic drug in preclinical models. We performed a PubMed search according to the PRISMA guidelines and PICOS strategy. The risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE tool. We included studies that determined the efficacy of minocycline in animal models of anxiety that may involve exposures (e.g. stressors, immunomodulators, injury). Data extracted included treatment effect, dose range, route of administration, and potential mechanisms for the anxiolytic effect. Meta-analysis of twenty studies showed that minocycline reduced anxiety-like behavior in rodents previously exposed to stress or immunostimulants but not in exposure-naïve animals. This effect was not associated with the dose administered or treatment duration. The mechanism for the anxiolytic activity of minocycline may depend on its anti-inflammatory effects in the brain regions involving anxiety. These suggest that minocycline could be repurposed as a treatment for anxiety and related disorders and warrants further evaluation.

Advances in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease based on oral bacteria

With the global population undergoing demographic shift towards aging, the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prominent neurodegenerative disorder that primarily afflicts individuals aged 65 and above, has increased across various geographical regions. This phenomenon is accompanied by a concomitant decline in immune functionality and oral hygiene capacity among the elderly, precipitating compromised oral functionality and an augmented burden of dental plaque. Accordingly, oral afflictions, including dental caries and periodontal disease, manifest with frequency among the geriatric population worldwide. Recent scientific investigations have unveiled the potential role of oral bacteria in instigating both local and systemic chronic inflammation, thereby delineating a putative nexus between oral health and the genesis and progression of AD. They further proposed the oral microbiome as a potentially modifiable risk factor in AD development, although the precise pathological mechanisms and degree of association have yet to be fully elucidated. This review summarizes current research on the relationship between oral bacteria and AD, describing the epidemiological and pathological mechanisms that may potentially link them. The purpose is to enrich early diagnostic approaches by incorporating emerging biomarkers, offering novel insights for clinicians in the early detection of AD. Additionally, it explores the potential of vaccination strategies and guidance for clinical pharmacotherapy. It proposes the development of maintenance measures specifically targeting oral health in older adults and advocates for guiding elderly patients in adopting healthy lifestyle habits, ultimately aiming to indirectly mitigate the progression of AD while promoting oral health in the elderly.

Photocatalyst Based on Nanostructured TiO2 with Improved Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Properties

This study shows an easy way to use electrochemistry and plasma layering to make Cobalt-Blue-TiO2 nanotubes that are better at catalysing reactions. Once a titanium plate has been anodized, certain steps are taken to make oxygen vacancies appear inside the TiO2 nanostructures. To find out how the Co deposition method changed the final catalyst's properties, it was put through electrochemical tests (to find the charge transfer resistance and flat band potential) and optical tests (to find the band gap and Urbach energy). The catalysts were also described in terms of their shape, ability to stick to surfaces, and ability to inhibit bacteria. When Cobalt was electrochemically deposited to Blue-TiO2 nanotubes, a film with star-shaped structures was made that was hydrophilic and antibacterial. The band gap energy went down from 3.04 eV to 2.88 eV and the Urbach energy went up from 1.171 eV to 3.836 eV using this electrochemical deposition method. Also, photodegradation tests with artificial doxycycline (DOX) water were carried out to see how useful the study results would be in real life. These extra experiments were meant to show how the research results could be used in real life and what benefits they might have. For the bacterial tests, both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were used, and BT/Co-E showed the best response. Additionally, photodegradation and photoelectrodegradation experiments using artificial doxycycline (DOX) water were conducted to determine the practical relevance of the research findings. The synergistic combination of light and applied potential leads to 70% DOX degradation after 60 min of BT/Co-E irradiation.

Associations between antibiotic exposure and abnormal cardiac enzyme profiles in older Chinese adults

Biomonitoring methods can be used to measure exposure to antibiotics in the general population; however, epidemiological data on the associations between urinary antibiotic levels and the cardiac profiles of enzymes lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase isoenzyme in older adults remain sparse. We investigated these associations in 990 individuals from the Cohort of Elderly Health and Environment Controllable Factors. Antibiotic residues in urine samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Urinary levels of 34 antibiotics were measured. The participants' cardiac enzyme profiles were influenced by sex, age, marital status, education level, cohabitation status, physical activity, dietary structure, body mass index, depression presence and salt, sugar, and oil consumption (P < 0.05). Oxytetracycline, tetracycline, doxycycline, sulfaclozine, and, florfenicol concentrations were negatively associated with the risk of having an abnormal cardiac enzyme profile. Older adults exposed to higher concentrations of norfloxacin had a higher risk of LDH anomalies. After antibiotics were classified, we identified associations between exposure to chloramphenicols, sulfonamides, or veterinary antibiotics and a lower risk of having an abnormal cardiac enzyme profile. Obtaining an accurate epidemiological profile of antibiotic exposure is indispensable for the prevention and detection of cardiac enzyme profile abnormalities in older adults.

Identification of potential inhibitor molecule against MabA protein of Mycobacterium leprae by integrated in silico approach

Leprosy is one of the chronic diseases with which humanity has struggled globally for millennia. The potent anti-leprosy medications rifampicin, clofazimine and dapsone, among others, are used to treat leprosy. Nevertheless, even in regions of the world where these drugs have been successfully implemented, resistance continues to be observed. Due to the problems with the current treatments, this disease should be fought at every level of society with new drugs. The purpose of this research was to identify natural candidates with the ability to inhibit MabA (gene-fabG1) with fewer negative effects. The work was accomplished through molecular docking, followed by a dynamic investigation of protein-ligand, which play a significant role in the design of pharmaceuticals. After modelling the protein structure with MODELLER 9.21v, AutoDock Vina was used to perform molecular docking with 13 3 D anti-leprosy medicines and a zinc library to determine the optimal protein-ligand interaction. In addition, the docking result was filtered based on binding energy, ADMET characteristics, PASS analysis and the most crucial binding residues. The ZINC08101051 chemical compound was prioritized for further study. Using an all-atom 100 ns MD simulation, the binding pattern and conformational changes in protein upon ligand binding were studied. Recommendation for subsequent validation based on deviation, fluctuation, gyration and hydrogen bond analysis, followed by main component and free energy landscape.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Analytical Methods Based on the Mass Balance Approach for Purity Evaluation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Analytical methods based on the mass balance approach were developed for the purity evaluation of tetracycline hydrochloride, a representative salt compound used in pure veterinary drug analysis. The purity assignment method was used to quantify individual classes of impurities via independent analytical techniques. The mass fraction of the free base or salt form contained in a high-purity organic compound with a hydrochloride salt can be determined. The chloride content by ion chromatography-conductivity detector (IC-CD) and general classes of impurities, including structurally related impurities by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV) detector, water by Karl Fischer (KF) coulometric titration, residual solvents by headspace sampler gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (HS-GC/MS), and non-volatiles by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), were considered to calculate the purity of the mass fraction. The chloride content of the salt compound can be considered the main impurity in the mass fraction of the free base in the salt compound. A purity assay using quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (q-NMR) as a direct determination method was performed to confirm the results of the mass balance method. The assigned purities of the tetracycline free form and its salt form in mass fraction were (898.80 ± 1.60) mg/g and (972.65 ± 1.58) mg/g, respectively, which are traceable to the international system of units (SI). Thus, the procedure for evaluating the purity of the free base and salt forms in the salt compound is newly demonstrated in this study.

Ribosome-binding antibiotics increase bacterial longevity and growth efficiency

Antibiotics, by definition, reduce bacterial growth rates in optimal culture conditions; however, the real-world environments bacteria inhabit see rapid growth punctuated by periods of low nutrient availability. How antibiotics mediate population decline during these periods is poorly understood. Bacteria cannot optimize for all environmental conditions because a growth-longevity tradeoff predicts faster growth results in faster population decline, and since bacteriostatic antibiotics slow growth, they should also mediate longevity. We quantify how antibiotics, their targets, and resistance mechanisms influence longevity using populations of Escherichia coli and, as the tradeoff predicts, populations are maintained for longer if they encounter ribosome-binding antibiotics doxycycline and erythromycin, a finding that is not observed using antibiotics with alternative cellular targets. This tradeoff also predicts resistance mechanisms that increase growth rates during antibiotic treatment could be detrimental during nutrient stresses, and indeed, we find resistance by ribosomal protection removes benefits to longevity provided by doxycycline. We therefore liken ribosomal protection to a "Trojan horse" because it provides protection from an antibiotic but, during nutrient stresses, it promotes the demise of the bacteria. Seeking mechanisms to support these observations, we show doxycycline promotes efficient metabolism and reduces the concentration of reactive oxygen species. Seeking generality, we sought another mechanism that affects longevity and we found the number of doxycycline targets, namely, the ribosomal RNA operons, mediates growth and longevity even without antibiotics. We conclude that slow growth, as observed during antibiotic treatment, can help bacteria overcome later periods of nutrient stress.

Overview of Direct and Indirect Effects of Antibiotics on Terrestrial Organisms

Antibiotics (ABs) have made it possible to treat bacterial infections, which were in the past untreatable and consequently fatal. Regrettably, their use and abuse among humans and livestock led to antibiotic resistance, which has made them ineffective in many cases. The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and bacteria is not limited to nosocomial environments, but also involves water and soil ecosystems. The environmental presence of ABs and ARGs is a hot topic, and their direct and indirect effects, are still not well known or clarified. A particular concern is the presence of antibiotics in agroecosystems due to the application of agro-zootechnical waste (e.g., manure and biosolids), which can introduce antibiotic residues and ARGs to soils. This review provides an insight of recent findings of AB direct and indirect effects on terrestrial organisms, focusing on plant and invertebrates. Possible changing in viability and organism growth, AB bioaccumulation, and shifts in associated microbiome composition are reported. Oxidative stress responses of plants (such as reactive oxygen species production) to antibiotics are also described.

Bidirectional Interaction between Tetracyclines and Gut Microbiome

The escalating misuse of antibiotics, particularly broad-spectrum antibiotics, has emerged as a pivotal driver of drug resistance. Among these agents, tetracyclines are widely prescribed for bacterial infections, but their indiscriminate use can profoundly alter the gut microbiome, potentially compromising both their effectiveness and safety. This review delves into the intricate and dynamic interplay between tetracyclines and the gut microbiome, shedding light on their reciprocal influence. By exploring the effects of tetracyclines on the gut microbiome and the impact of gut microbiota on tetracycline therapy, we seek to gain deeper insights into this complex relationship, ultimately guiding strategies for preserving antibiotic efficacy and mitigating resistance development.

Unveiling the Osteogenic Potential of Tetracyclines: A Comparative Study in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Tetracyclines (TCs) are a class of broad-spectrum antibiotics with diverse pharmacotherapeutic properties due to their various functional groups being attached to a common core structure. Beyond their antibacterial activity, TCs trigger pleiotropic effects on eukaryotic cells, including anti-inflammatory and potentially osteogenic capabilities. Consequently, TCs hold promise for repurposing in various clinical applications, including bone-related conditions. This study presents the first comprehensive comparison of the in vitro osteogenic potential of four TCs-tetracycline, doxycycline, minocycline, and sarecycline, within human mesenchymal stem cells. Cultures were characterized for metabolic activity, cell morphology and cytoskeleton organization, osteogenic gene expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the activation of relevant signaling pathways. TCs stimulated actin remodeling processes, inducing morphological shifts consistent with osteogenic differentiation. Osteogenic gene expression and ALP activity supported the osteoinduction by TCs, demonstrating significant increases in ALP levels and the upregulation of RUNX2, SP7, and SPARC genes. Minocycline and sarecycline exhibited the most potent osteogenic induction, comparable to conventional osteogenic inducers. Signaling pathway analysis revealed that tetracycline and doxycycline activate the Wnt pathway, while minocycline and sarecycline upregulated Hedgehog signaling. Overall, the present findings suggest that TCs promote osteogenic differentiation through distinct pathways, making them promising candidates for targeted therapy in specific bone-related disorders.

A Sex-Dependent Association Between Doxycycline Use and Development of Schizophrenia

BACKGROUND

Doxycycline and minocycline are brain-penetrant tetracycline antibiotics, which recently gained interest because of their immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties. Observational studies have suggested that exposure to these drugs may decrease the risk to develop schizophrenia, but results are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential association between doxycycline use and later onset of schizophrenia.

DESIGN

We used data from 1 647 298 individuals born between 1980 and 2006 available through Danish population registers. 79 078 of those individuals were exposed to doxycycline, defined as redemption of at least 1 prescription. Survival analysis models stratified for sex with time-varying covariates were constructed to assess incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for schizophrenia (ICD-10 code F20.xx), with adjustment for age, calendar year, parental psychiatric status, and educational level.

RESULTS

In the non-stratified analysis, there was no association between doxycycline exposure and schizophrenia risk. However, men who redeemed doxycycline had a significantly lower incidence rate for schizophrenia onset compared to men that did not (IRR 0.70; 95% CI 0.57-0.86). By contrast, women had a significantly higher incidence rate for schizophrenia onset, compared to women that did not redeem doxycycline prescriptions (IRR 1.23; 95% CI 1.08, 1.40). The effects were not found for other tetracycline antibiotics (IRR 1.00; 95% CI 0.91, 1.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Doxycycline exposure is associated with a sex-dependent effect on schizophrenia risk. The next steps are replication of the results in independent well-characterized population cohorts, as well as preclinical studies to investigate sex-specific effects of doxycycline on biological mechanisms implicated in schizophrenia.

The Effect of Amoxicillin Pre-Exposure on Treatment Outcomes and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Patients with Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection

Purpose

We investigated the influence of amoxicillin pre-exposure on treatment outcomes, Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) culture, the presence of drug-resistant genes, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and fractional inhibitory concentrations (FICs) in CT clinical strains. Additionally, we explored the effect of different antimicrobial combinations on CT.

Patients and Methods

Clinical data of 62 patients with CT infection were recorded. Of these, 33 had pre-exposure to amoxicillin and 29 did not. Among patients with pre-exposure, 17 received azithromycin and 16 received minocycline. Among the patients without pre-exposure, 15 received azithromycin and 14 received minocycline. All patients underwent microbiological cure follow-ups one month after completing the treatment. 23S rRNA gene mutations, acquisition of tet(M) and tet(C) were detected using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and PCR, respectively. The MICs and FICs of azithromycin, minocycline, and moxifloxacin, alone or in combination, were determined using the microdilution and checkerboard methods, respectively.

Results

More cases of treatment failure occurred in pre-exposed patients, in both treatment groups (P <0.05). No 23S rRNA gene mutations or tet(M) and tet(C) acquisitions were found. More inclusion bodies were cultured from patients without amoxicillin pre-exposure than from those with pre-exposure (P <0.0001). The MICs of all antibiotics were higher in pre-exposed patients than in those without pre-exposure (P <0.01). The FICs of azithromycin plus moxifloxacin were lower than those of the other antibiotic combinations (P <0.0001). The synergy rate of azithromycin plus moxifloxacin was significantly higher than those of azithromycin plus minocycline and minocycline plus moxifloxacin (P <0.001). The FICs of all antibiotic combinations were comparable between isolates from the two patient groups (all P >0.05).

Conclusion

Pre-exposure to amoxicillin in CT patients may inhibit CT growth and decrease sensitivity of CT strains to antibiotics. Azithromycin plus moxifloxacin may be a promising treatment regimen for genital CT infections with treatment failure.

The Use of Hydrogel Dressings in Sulfur Mustard-Induced Skin and Ocular Wound Management

Over one century after its first military use on the battlefield, sulfur mustard (SM) remains a threatening agent. Due to the absence of an antidote and specific treatment, the management of SM-induced lesions, particularly on the skin and eyes, still represents a challenge. Current therapeutic management is mainly limited to symptomatic and supportive care, pain relief, and prevention of infectious complications. New strategies are needed to accelerate healing and optimize the repair of the function and appearance of damaged tissues. Hydrogels have been shown to be suitable for healing severe burn wounds. Because the same gravity of lesions is observed in SM victims, hydrogels could be relevant dressings to improve wound healing of SM-induced skin and ocular injuries. In this article, we review how hydrogel dressings may be beneficial for improving the wound healing of SM-induced injuries, with special emphasis placed on their suitability as drug delivery devices on SM-induced skin and ocular lesions.

Dietary supplementation with Chinese herb ultrafine powder improves intestinal morphology and physical barrier function by altering jejunal microbiota in laying hens

Introduction

Chinese medicinal herbs play important roles in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. However, the effects of Chinese herb ultrafine powder (CHUP) on laying hens still need to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary CHUP supplementation on jejunal morphology, physical barrier function, and microbiota in laying hens.

Methods

A total of 576 Xinyang black-feather laying hens (300 days old) were randomly assigned into eight groups, with eight replicates per group and nine hens per replicate. The hens were fed a basal diet (control group) and a basal diet supplemented with 0.5% Leonuri herba (LH group), 0.25% Ligustri lucidi fructus (LF group), 0.25% Taraxaci herba (TH group), 0.5% LH + 0.25% LF (LH-LF group), 0.5% LH + 0.25% TH (LH-TH group), 0.25% LF + 0.25% TH (LF-TH group), and 0.5% LH + 0.25% LF + 0.25% TH (LH-LF-TH group), respectively, for 120 days.

Results

The results showed that dietary LH-LF and LH-LF-TH supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the jejunal villus height to crypt depth ratio of laying hens. Dietary LF-TH supplementation up-regulated jejunal claudin-5 expression, while LH supplementation up-regulated jejunal claudin-1 expression and increased the jejunal abundances of potentially beneficial bacteria related to short-chain fatty acids and bacteriocins production, such as Blautia, Carnobacterium, Clostridiales, and Erysipelotrichales (p < 0.05). In addition, dietary LH supplementation enriched (p < 0.05) the tetracycline biosynthesis, butirosin/neomycin biosynthesis, and D-arginine/D-ornithine metabolism, whereas steroid biosynthesis and limonene/pinene degradation were enriched (p < 0.05) in the LH-LF and LH-LF-TH groups. Moreover, Spearman's correlation analysis revealed the potential correlation between the abundance of the jejunal microbiota and jejunal morphology and the physical barrier function of laying hens.

Discussion

Collectively, these findings suggest that dietary CHUP supplementation could enhance the beneficial bacteria abundance, physical barrier function, and metabolic function associated with short-chain fatty acids and bacteriocins production. Moreover, combined supplementation of dietary CHUP showed better effects than the sole CHUP supplementation.

Combined exposure to titanium dioxide and tetracycline induces neurotoxicity in zebrafish

In aquatic environment, engineered materials may inevitably interact with the coexisted organic pollutants, which affect their bioavailability and toxicity. In this contribution, the combined impacts of tetracycline (TC) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) on the neurodevelopment of zebrafish larvae were investigated, and the underlying mechanisms were further elucidated. Firstly, it was confirmed that the co-existence of TC would increase the size and decrease the zeta potential of TiO₂ NPs. Following, developmental indicators and motor behaviors were investigated. Our results indicated that co-exposure to TC and TiO₂ NPs exhibited enhanced embryonic malformation rates and abnormal nervous system development in zebrafish embryos. Meanwhile, the locomotor behavior was increased upon treatment of TC and TiO₂ NP. Further, pathway enrichment analyses of transcriptomic sequencing provided detailed information that either lipid metabolism or PPAR signaling pathway were significantly affected in the co-exposure group. Also, TC + TiO₂ NP exposure significantly changed the mRNA expression of neural development-related genes and up-regulated the expression levels of neurotransmitters like 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine, acetylcholinesterase, and γ-aminobutyric acid. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the co-exposure of TC and TiO₂ NPs had the potential to cause neurotoxicity in zebrafish embryos.

The anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline on lipopolysaccharide-induced paw oedema in rats: a histopathological and molecular study

Minocycline is a semi-synthetic antimicrobial agent with claimed anti-inflammatory properties reported from different experimental models. This study was aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of minocycline, compared to the actions of two common anti-inflammatory agents, on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced paw oedema through some clinical, histopathological, haematological and molecular analyses. Forty-eight rats were divided into eight groups (n = 6). In control group (Ctrl), each animal was injected with normal saline into its sub-plantar region of hind paw. In groups 2-7, hind paw oedema was induced by injection of LPS. One hour before injections, groups 1 (Ctrl) and 2 (LPS) were treated orally with distilled water, 3 and 4 with methylprednisolone (Pred) and meloxicam (Melo) and 5-7 with minocycline in doses of 50, 150 and 450 mg/kg (M50, M150 and M450, respectively). The 8th group (MC) was given minocycline (150 mg/kg) orally and normal saline was injected into sub-plantar region. Paw swelling and body temperature were assessed at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h post-injections. At 24 h, samples of blood and liver, kidney, spleen and hind paw tissues were taken for haematological and histopathological examinations. Some samples of the paw were also obtained for molecular analysis of some inflammatory-related cytokines at mRNA level. Paw swelling and body temperature increased in all LPS-injected groups 2 h post-injection. In LPS group, they remained significantly increased up to 24 h; however, these parameters decreased to normal in Pred, Melo and all minocycline groups. The histological findings showed mild-to-moderate signs of inflammation in tissue samples of groups 2-6, but not in group M450. Additionally, gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6) increased significantly in LPS group compared to other groups. In conclusion, this study supports the role of minocycline as an anti-inflammatory agent with effects comparable to those of meloxicam and methylprednisolone.

Structure-Based Design of Bisubstrate Tetracycline Destructase Inhibitors That Block Flavin Redox Cycling

Tetracyclines (TCs) are an important class of antibiotics threatened by an emerging new resistance mechanism─enzymatic inactivation. These TC-inactivating enzymes, also known as tetracycline destructases (TDases), inactivate all known TC antibiotics, including drugs of last resort. Combination therapies consisting of a TDase inhibitor and a TC antibiotic represent an attractive strategy for overcoming this type of antibiotic resistance. Here, we report the structure-based design, synthesis, and evaluation of bifunctional TDase inhibitors derived from anhydrotetracycline (aTC). By appending a nicotinamide isostere to the C9 position of the aTC D-ring, we generated bisubstrate TDase inhibitors. The bisubstrate inhibitors have extended interactions with TDases by spanning both the TC and presumed NADPH binding pockets. This simultaneously blocks TC binding and the reduction of FAD by NADPH while "locking" TDases in an unproductive FAD "out" conformation.

In vitro activity of tetracycline analogs against multidrug-resistant and extensive drug resistance clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

BACKGROUND

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has become a big threaten to global health. The current strategy for treatment of MDR-TB and extensive drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is with low efficacy and high side effect. While new drug is fundamental for cure MDR-TB, repurposing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs represents an alternative soluation with less cost.

METHODS

The activity of 8 tetracycline-class antibiotics against mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) were determined by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) in vitro. A transposon M.smeg libraries was generated by using the Harm phage and then used to isolate the conditional growth mutants in doxycycline containing plate. Eleven mutants were isolated and genomic DNAs were extracted using the cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method and analyzed by whole genome sequencing.

RESULTS

We found that three of eight drugs efficiently inhibited mycobacteria growth under the peak plasma concentration in the human body. Further tests showed these three tetracycline analogs (demeclocycline, doxycycline and methacycline) had antimicrobial activity against seven clinical isolates, including MDR and XDR strains. Among them, Doxycycline had the lowest MICs in all mycobacteria strains tested in this study. By using a transposon library, we identify the insertion of transposon in two genes, porin and MshA, associatewith the resistant to doxycycline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show that tetracycline analogs such as doxycycline, has bactericidal activity against not only drug sensitive M.tb, but also clinical MDR and XDR strains, provided proof of concept to repurpose doxycycline to fight MDR-TB and XDR-TB. Further investigations are warranted to clarify the underlying mechanism and optimize the strategy in combination with other anti-TB drugs.

Topical Ocular Therapeutics in Small Animals

This article reviews the administration of common topical ophthalmic medications, in relation to factors influencing absorption including composition of topical ophthalmic preparations, and potential systemic effects. Commonly prescribed, commercially available topical ophthalmic medications are discussed with respect to pharmacology, their indications for use, and adverse effects. Knowledge of topical ocular pharmacokinetics is essential for the management of veterinary ophthalmic disease.

Altered host protease determinants for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron

Successful severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection requires proteolytic cleavage of the viral spike protein. While the role of the host transmembrane protease serine 2 in SARS-CoV-2 infection is widely recognized, the involvement of other proteases capable of facilitating SARS-CoV-2 entry remains incompletely explored. Here, we show that multiple members from the membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase (MT-MMP) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase families can mediate SARS-CoV-2 entry. Inhibition of MT-MMPs significantly reduces SARS-CoV-2 replication in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that MT-MMPs can cleave SARS-CoV-2 spike and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 and facilitate spike-mediated fusion. We further demonstrate that Omicron BA.1 has an increased efficiency on MT-MMP usage, while an altered efficiency on transmembrane serine protease usage for virus entry compared with that of ancestral SARS-CoV-2. These results reveal additional protease determinants for SARS-CoV-2 infection and enhance our understanding on the biology of coronavirus entry.

Repurposing of Chemotherapeutics to Combat COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel strain of SARS coronavirus. The COVID-19 disease caused by this virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). SARS-CoV-2 mainly spreads through droplets sprayed by coughs or sneezes of the infected to a healthy person within the vicinity of 6 feet. It also spreads through asymptomatic carriers and has negative impact on the global economy, security and lives of people since 2019. Numerous lives have been lost to this viral infection; hence there is an emergency to build up a potent measure to combat SARS-CoV-2. In view of the non-availability of any drugs or vaccines at the time of its eruption, the existing antivirals, antibacterials, antimalarials, mucolytic agents and antipyretic paracetamol were used to treat the COVID-19 patients. Still there are no specific small molecule chemotherapeutics available to combat COVID-19 except for a few vaccines approved for emergency use only. Thus, the repurposing of chemotherapeutics with the potential to treat COVID-19 infected people is being used. The antiviral activity for COVID-19 and biochemical mechanisms of the repurposed drugs are being explored by the biological assay screening and structure-based in silico docking simulations. The present study describes the various US-FDA approved chemotherapeutics repositioned to combat COVID-19 along with their screening for biological activity, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation.

Hematological and Biochemical Responses of Newly Formulated Primary Root Canal Obturating Material: An In Vivo Study

Background and objective Any drug or medicinal agent, when implanted into the body, gets biotransformed by various organ systems and the toxic byproducts of this process alter the normal physiological process. In this experimental study, we aimed to quantify the safety of newly formulated primary root canal obturating material by investigating the hematological and biochemical parameters related to liver function. Methodology Forty-eight Wistar rats (weighing 250-350 grams) were classified into three groups (n=16) through random allocation. Preoperative blood samples were collected by puncturing the orbital venous plexus, the values of which were used as control. Zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE), calcium hydroxide iodoform paste (Metapex), and newly formulated triple antibiotic obturating paste (TAOP) were implanted (100 µg) into dorsal connective tissues. Blood samples on the seventh, 15th, and 30th postoperative days were evaluated respectively by analyzing hematological, hepatic, and, renal function tests for acute and chronic inflammatory responses. Results  The intra-group and inter-group comparisons among all the test materials after seven days exhibited high significance in terms of hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), neutrophils, and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) (p<0.001), while others showed mixed responses (p<0.05 to p>0.05). After 15 days, the comparisons showed high significance with respect to packed cell volume (PCV), mean cell volume (MCV), and serum creatinine (p<0.001), while others showed significant to nonsignificant differences (p<0.05 to p>0.05). At the end of 30 days, all the parameters showed mixed responses (p<0.001 to p>0.05). Conclusion The newly formulated obturating material TAOP showed lower adverse hematological, hepatic, and renal effects in experimental animals compared to other test materials, with most parameters reverting to normal after 30 days.

Identification and Evolution of a Natural Tetr Protein Based on Molecular Docking and Development of a Fluorescence Polari-Zation Assay for Multi-Detection of 10 Tetracyclines in Milk

In this study, the identity of our recently produced natural TetR protein was identified by using the LC-ESI-MS/MS technique, and its recognition mechanisms, including the binding pocket, contact amino acids, intermolecular forces, binding sites, binding energies, and affinities for 10 tetracycline drugs were studied. Then, it was evolved by site-mutagenesis of an amino acid to produce a mutant, and a fluorescence polarization assay was developed to detect the 10 drugs in milk. The sensitivities for the 10 drugs were improved with IC₅₀ values decreasing from 30.8-80.1 ng/mL to 15.5-55.2 ng/mL, and the limits of detection were in the range of 0.4-1.5 ng/mL. Furthermore, it was found that the binding affinity for a drug was the critical factor determining its sensitivity, and the binding energy showed little influence. This is the first study reporting the recognition mechanisms of a natural TetR protein for tetracyclines and the development of a fluorescence polarization assay for the detection of tetracyclines residues in food samples.

Current state of the red scrotum syndrome

Red scrotum syndrome is a chronic, difficult-to-recognize dermatosis affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is manifested by erythema of the scrotum with clear boundaries, without neck. The etiology and pathogenesis of the disease have not been established. Hypotheses about the causes of dermatosis as a consequence of uncontrolled use of topical steroids, neurological inflammation, formation of microbial biofilm are based on anamnestic data and the results of trial treatments. Etiologically and pathogenetically justified therapy has not been proposed. Therapy with the use of doxycycline, gabapentin, pregabalin, indomethacin, tacrolimus was carried out in small groups of patients. The lack of clarity in the etiology and understanding of the mechanism of development of the disease explains the lack of a unified focus of the proposed therapies based on isolated clinical cases. In general, the problem of diagnosis and treatment rests on the absence of major clinical, epidemiological and laboratory studies that allowed to establish the pathophysiology and assess the true prevalence of red scrotum syndrome.

Indane-1,3-Dione: From Synthetic Strategies to Applications

Indane-1,3-dione is a versatile building block used in numerous applications ranging from biosensing, bioactivity, bioimaging to electronics or photopolymerization. In this review, an overview of the different chemical reactions enabling access to this scaffold but also to the most common derivatives of indane-1,3-dione are presented. Parallel to this, the different applications in which indane-1,3-dione-based structures have been used are also presented, evidencing the versatility of this structure.

Reducing the negative impact of ceftriaxone and doxycycline in aqueous solutions using ferrihydrite/plant-based composites: mechanism pathway

The adsorption of ceftriaxone (CET) and doxycycline (DOX) from aqueous solution using ferrihydrite/plant-based composites (silica rice husk) to reduce their negative impact on the ecosystem was adequately studied. On the other hand, phosphate and humic acid are often found in water and soil; in view of this, their effects on the adsorption of CET and DOX were investigated. The results showed that the removal of ceftriaxone decreased with an increase in pH, while that of doxycycline did not. Ferrihydrite with 10% silica rice husk (Fh-10%SRH) has the highest maximum adsorption capacity of 139 and 178 mg g^-1 for CET and DOX, respectively, at room temperature based on Liu's adsorption isotherm. This implies that the presence of silica rice husk increases CET and DOX uptake due to an increase in the pore volume of FH-10%SRH. The results showed that phosphate had a significant inhibition role on CET adsorption and minor on DOX, whereas humic acid salt affected neither case. Increase in temperature up to 333 K favored the adsorption of both contaminants. The proposed adsorption mechanisms of ceftriaxone are electrostatic interaction, n-π interaction, and hydrogen bond, while that of DOX entails n-π interaction and hydrogen bond.

COVID-19 prophylaxis with doxycycline and zinc in health care workers: a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the efficacy of a combination treatment of doxycycline and zinc in the primary prevention of COVID-19 infection in Tunisian health care workers compared with two control groups.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial over 5 months to determine the efficacy of a preventive combination treatment dose of doxycycline (100 mg/day) and zinc (15 mg/day), compared with a single-dose treatment with doxycycline versus placebo. The effectiveness of preventive treatment was measured by the significant decline in the number of cases of COVID-19 infection and/or a decrease in the viral load as determined by SARS-CoV-2 cycle threshold value using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests.

RESULTS

We detected a significant decrease of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the group that received both doxycycline and zinc compared with other participants. We also demonstrated that COVID-19 infection was neither associated with diabetes (P = 0.51) nor associated with hypertension (P = 0.99), asthma (P = 0.52), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (P = 0.27).

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that preventive therapy reduced the risk of SARS-CoV-2. These results suggest that the combination of doxycycline and zinc has a protective effect in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Development of pharmacotherapies for abdominal aortic aneurysms

The cardiovascular field is still searching for a treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). This inflammatory disease often goes undiagnosed until a late stage and associated rupture has a high mortality rate. No pharmacological treatment options are available. Three hallmark factors of AAA pathology include inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. Here we discuss drugs for AAA treatment that have been studied in clinical trials by examining the drug targets and data present for each drug's ability to regulate the aforementioned three hallmark pathways in AAA progression. Historically, drugs that were examined in interventional clinical trials for treatment of AAA were repurposed therapeutics. Novel treatments (biologics, small-molecule compounds etc.) have not been able to reach the clinic, stalling out in pre-clinical studies. Here we discuss the backgrounds of previous investigational drugs in hopes of better informing future development of potential therapeutics. Overall, the highlighted themes discussed here stress the importance of both centralized anti-inflammatory drug targets and rigor of translatability. Exceedingly few murine studies have examined an intervention-based drug treatment in halting further growth of an established AAA despite interventional treatment being the therapeutic approach taken to treat AAA in a clinical setting. Additionally, data suggest that a potentially successful drug target may be a central inflammatory biomarker. Specifically, one that can effectively modulate all three hallmark factors of AAA formation, not just inflammation. It is suggested that inhibiting PGE2 formation with an mPGES-1 inhibitor is a leading drug target for AAA treatment to this end.

Chelation in Antibacterial Drugs: From Nitroxoline to Cefiderocol and Beyond

In the era of escalating antimicrobial resistance, the need for antibacterial drugs with novel or improved modes of action (MOAs) is a health concern of utmost importance. Adding or improving the chelating abilities of existing drugs or finding new, nature-inspired chelating agents seems to be one of the major ways to ensure progress. This review article provides insight into the modes of action of antibacterial agents, class by class, through the perspective of chelation. We covered a wide scope of antibacterials, from a century-old quintessential chelating agent nitroxoline, currently unearthed due to its newly discovered anticancer and antibiofilm activities, over the commonly used antibacterial classes, to new cephalosporin cefiderocol and a potential future class of tetramates. We show the impressive spectrum of roles that chelation plays in antibacterial MOAs. This, by itself, demonstrates the importance of understanding the fundamental chemistry behind such complex processes.

The potential use of tetracyclines in neurodegenerative diseases and the role of nano-based drug delivery systems

Neurodegenerative diseases are still a challenge for effective treatments. The high cost of approved drugs, severity of side effects, injection site pain, and restrictions on drug delivery to the Central Nervous System (CNS) can overshadow the management of these diseases. Due to the chronic and progressive evolution of neurodegenerative disorders and since there is still no cure for them, new therapeutic strategies such as the combination of several drugs or the use of existing drugs with new therapeutic applications are valuable strategies. Tetracyclines are traditionally classified as antibiotics. However, in this class of drugs, doxycycline and minocycline exhibit also anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting microglia/macrophages. Hence, they have been studied as potential agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies confirm the effective role of these two drugs as anti-inflammatory agents in experimentally induced models of neurodegenerative diseases. In clinical studies, satisfactory results have been obtained in Multiple sclerosis (MS) but not yet in other disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In recent years, researchers have developed and evaluated nanoparticulate drug delivery systems to improve the clinical efficacy of these two tetracyclines for their potential application in neurodegenerative diseases. This study reviews the neuroprotective roles of minocycline and doxycycline in four of the main neurodegenerative disorders: AD, PD, ALS and MS. Moreover, the potential applications of nanoparticulate delivery systems developed for both tetracyclines are also reviewed.

The Role of Concomitant Nrf2 Targeting and Stem Cell Therapy in Cerebrovascular Disease

Despite the reality that a death from cerebrovascular accident occurs every 3.5 min in the United States, there are few therapeutic options which are typically limited to a narrow window of opportunity in time for damage mitigation and recovery. Novel therapies have targeted pathological processes secondary to the initial insult, such as oxidative damage and peripheral inflammation. One of the greatest challenges to therapy is the frequently permanent damage within the CNS, attributed to a lack of sufficient neurogenesis. Thus, recent use of cell-based therapies for stroke have shown promising results. Unfortunately, stroke-induced inflammatory and oxidative damage limit the therapeutic potential of these stem cells. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has been implicated in endogenous antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, thus presenting an attractive target for novel therapeutics to enhance stem cell therapy and promote neurogenesis. This review assesses the current literature on the concomitant use of stem cell therapy and Nrf2 targeting via pharmaceutical and natural agents, highlighting the need to elucidate both upstream and downstream pathways in optimizing Nrf2 treatments in the setting of cerebrovascular disease.

Tetracycline-loaded magnesium oxide nanoparticles with a potential bactericidal action against multidrug-resistant bacteria: In vitro and in vivo evidence

Worldwide, the emergence of diarrhoea-causing multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria has become a crucial problem in everyday life. Tetracycline (TC) is a bacteriostatic agent that has a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity. One potential strategy to enhance the penetration and antibacterial activity of antibiotics is the use of nanotechnology. In this context, this study dealt with the synthesis of TC loading in biocompatible magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs), its characterization, and the potency of killing against diarrhoea-causing MDR bacteria E. coli and S. flexneri. TC loaded- MgONPs (MgONPs-TC) were characterized by DLS, SEM-EDS, UV-vis spectroscopy, and FTIR techniques with adequate physical properties. Antibacterial and antibiofilm studies indicate that this nanoparticle successfully eradicated both planktonic and sessile forms of those bacteria. It also significantly reduced the production of bacterial EPS, different levels of antioxidant enzymes, and induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bacterial cell as a mode of antibacterial action. In particular, MgONPs-TC were efficient in reducing the colonization of MDR E. coli and S. flexneri in the C. elegans model. Therefore, all these data suggest that MgONPs-TC are a highly promising approach to combating diseases associated with diarrhoea-causing MDR bacteria in the medical field with limited health care budgets.

The functional microbiota of on- and off-year moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) influences the development of the bamboo pest Pantana phyllostachysae

BACKGROUND

Development of Pantana phyllostachysae, a moso bamboo pest, is affected by its diet. Understanding the mechanism underlying the different insect-resistant capacities of on- and off-year moso bamboo fed by P. phyllostachysae is crucial for managing pest outbreaks. As microbes were proven to influence plant immunity, we compared gut microbial communities of P. phyllostachysae with different diets by metabarcoding sequencing. By using sterilization assay, microbes were removed from leaf surfaces, and thus we confirmed that microbes inhabiting moso bamboo leaves impact the weight of P. phyllostachysae larva. Furthermore, the gut microbial communities of P. phyllostachysae fed on on- and off-year bamboo leaves were compared, to identify the functional microbial communities that impact the interaction between bamboo leaves and P. phyllostachysae.

RESULTS

We found that species from orders Lactobacillales and Rickettsiales are most effective within functional microbiota. Functional prediction revealed that gut microbes of larva fed on on-year leaves were related to naphthalene degradation, while those fed on off-year leaves were related to biosynthesis of ansamycins, polyketide sugar unit biosynthesis, metabolism of xenobiotics, and tetracycline biosynthesis. Most functional microbes are beneficial to the development of larva that feed on on-year bamboo leaves, but damage the balance of intestinal microenvironment and immune systems of those larva that feed on off-year leaves.

CONCLUSIONS

This work developed an efficient strategy for microbiome research of Lepidopteran insects and provided insights into microbiota related to the interaction between host plants and P. phyllostachysae. We provided microbial candidates for the ecological control of P. phyllostachysae according to the function of effective microbiota.

Tetracyclines-An Important Therapeutic Tool for Dermatologists

Tetracyclines are a group of antibiotics whose first representative was discovered over 70 years ago. Since then, they have been of great interest in dermatology. In addition to their antibacterial activity, they are able to inhibit metalloproteinases and exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant effects. The side effects have been thoroughly studied over the years, the most characteristic and important ones in daily dermatological practice being: phototoxicity, hyperpigmentation, onycholysis, photoonycholysis, induced lupus erythematosus, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension. In this article, we summarize the use of tetracyclines in infectious diseases and inflammatory dermatoses, and further discuss the instances where the efficacy and safety of tetracyclines have been highlighted over the past few years.