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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
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Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
Published on: November 17, 2018
THE EFFECT OF ANTIBACTERIAL DRUGS ON THE WEIGHT OF MICE
R Dubos1, R W Schaedler, R L Costello
1The Rockefeller Institute.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|October 30, 2009
Summary
Antibacterial drugs significantly slowed weight gain in NCS mice fed a gluten diet, suggesting gut flora alterations impact growth. This effect was diet-dependent and differed from responses in ordinary Swiss mice.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Nutrition
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in host metabolism and growth.
- Antibacterial drugs can profoundly alter the composition and function of the intestinal flora.
- Understanding the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host response to medication is vital for animal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of antibacterial drugs on the growth of NCS mice fed a gluten-based diet.
- To explore the relationship between drug-induced changes in intestinal flora and host weight gain.
- To compare the response of NCS mice to antibacterial drugs with that of ordinary Swiss mice.
Main Methods:
- NCS mice were fed a gluten diet, with and without antibacterial drugs (penicillin).
- Dietary supplementation with lysine and threonine was tested.
- Weight gain was monitored, and changes in fecal flora were inferred.
- Responses were compared between NCS mice and ordinary Swiss mice under different dietary conditions.
Main Results:
- Antibacterial drugs significantly retarded weight gain in NCS mice, even with amino acid supplementation.
- The growth retardation was more pronounced and prolonged on semi-synthetic diets compared to crude diets.
- The intensity and duration of effects correlated with drug dosage and treatment length.
- Ordinary Swiss mice showed increased weight gain with antibacterial drugs, unlike NCS mice.
Conclusions:
- Antibacterial drugs negatively impact growth in NCS mice by altering intestinal flora.
- Diet composition influences the host's response to drug-induced microbiota changes.
- NCS mice exhibit a different response to antibacterial drugs compared to ordinary Swiss mice due to differences in intestinal flora complexity.
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