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Screening and Isolation of C-Glycoside-Cleaving Intestinal Bacteria
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Intestinal microbiome and digoxin inactivation: meal plan for digoxin users?
Lingeng Lu1, Yixing Wu, Lingjun Zuo
1Department of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA, lingeng.lu@yale.edu.
World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology
|October 10, 2013
Summary
The gut bacterium Eggerthella lenta inactivates digoxin, a heart disease drug. Arginine supplements may boost digoxin
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The intestinal microbiome influences drug efficacy and toxicity.
- Digoxin, a common heart medication, exhibits variable bioavailability.
- Eggerthella lenta was previously identified as a digoxin-inactivating gut bacterium.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of digoxin inactivation by gut bacteria.
- To explore the potential of arginine as an intervention to enhance digoxin activity.
Main Methods:
- In vitro incubation of digoxin with Eggerthella lenta.
- Animal model studies to investigate digoxin inactivation mechanisms.
- Analysis of gene expression related to digoxin metabolism.
Main Results:
- A specific gene operon in Eggerthella lenta was identified as responsible for digoxin inactivation.
- Arginine supplementation was shown to inhibit this gene operon in animal models.
- This inhibition led to increased digoxin activity.
Conclusions:
- The gut microbiome, specifically Eggerthella lenta, significantly impacts digoxin bioavailability.
- Dietary arginine may serve as a therapeutic strategy to improve digoxin efficacy in patients.
- Further research is needed to optimize arginine supplementation for digoxin users.
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