Evaluation of Daptomycin-Induced Cellular Membrane Injury in Skeletal Muscle

Takehiro Yamada1,2, Shuhei Ishikawa1, Nobuhisa Ishiguro2

  • 1Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital.

Insights

Daptomycin can harm skeletal muscle cells, potentially causing elevated creatine phosphokinase. This antibiotic-induced muscle toxicity is linked to higher drug levels and is worsened by low oxygen conditions via necroptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Daptomycin is a potent antibiotic against Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA.
  • Adverse effects like elevated creatine phosphokinase and rhabdomyolysis are associated with daptomycin, but the mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • Skeletal muscle toxicity is a concern with daptomycin therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if daptomycin directly causes skeletal muscle cell toxicity.
  • To explore the relationship between daptomycin exposure levels and musculoskeletal adverse events.
  • To elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying daptomycin-induced muscle toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical analysis of patients receiving daptomycin, correlating plasma trough concentrations with creatine phosphokinase levels.
  • In vitro studies using human rhabdomyosarcoma cells to assess daptomycin's cytotoxic effects.
  • Investigation of the involvement of the necroptotic pathway through marker analysis (phosphorylated MLKL) under varying oxygen conditions.

Main Results:

  • Higher daptomycin plasma trough concentrations were significantly associated with elevated creatine phosphokinase levels in patients.
  • In vitro, daptomycin reduced cell viability and increased membrane damage in skeletal muscle cells.
  • Daptomycin-induced cell death involved necroptosis, a process exacerbated under hypoxic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Daptomycin exhibits direct cytotoxic effects on skeletal muscle cells.
  • The necroptotic pathway mediates daptomycin-induced skeletal muscle toxicity.
  • Hypoxia significantly enhances daptomycin's toxicity to skeletal muscle cells, suggesting clinical implications for patients with compromised oxygenation.