Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg have found that medications can impact gut bacteria differently when they are part of a community versus when they are isolated. This discovery was made through a study that looked at how 30 different drugs affect 32 bacterial species representative of the human gut microbiome. The researchers found that bacteria in communities can display communal behaviors that protect each other from the harmful effects of drugs, a phenomenon known as ‘cross-protection’. However, at high drug concentrations, this community strength diminishes, leading to ‘cross-sensitization’ where resistant bacteria become sensitive. This research could help tailor prescriptions to reduce drug side effects in the future.
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Drug effects on gut microbiome altered by bacterial communities
