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Updated: May 13, 2026

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment
08:33

Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Analyses of Murine Intestinal Microbiota After Oral Antibiotic Treatment

Published on: November 17, 2018

Side effects of antibiotics on the intestinal microflora by PCR-DGGE

Li Xinli1, Wu Dachang, Zhang Cuili

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.

Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|March 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Antibiotics significantly alter gut bacteria composition. This study investigated the effects of fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and beta-lactams on mouse intestinal microflora, revealing distinct changes in bacterial structure after drug administration.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Antibiotics are crucial for treating infectious diseases.
  • Their potential side effects on the intestinal tract are not fully understood.
  • The gut microbiome plays a vital role in host health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of common antibiotic classes on the intestinal microflora of mice.
  • To analyze changes in bacterial composition and structure following antibiotic treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were administered fluoroquinolones, macrolides, and beta-lactams.
  • Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to analyze bacterial community profiles.
  • 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for dominant band analysis.

Main Results:

  • Antibiotic administration led to an increase in the total amount of 16S rRNA gene.
  • Significant alterations in bacterial composition and structure were observed.
  • DGGE profiles showed distinct clustering based on drug administration periods.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotics cause significant shifts in the intestinal microflora's bacterial composition.
  • Understanding these changes is crucial for assessing antibiotic-associated side effects.
  • Further research is needed to explore the long-term implications of antibiotic-induced microbiome alterations.

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