Artificial sweeteners inhibit multidrug-resistant pathogen growth and potentiate antibiotic activity.
EMBO Mol Med
; 15(1): e16397, 2023 01 11.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36412260
ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most pressing concerns of our time. The human diet is rich with compounds that alter bacterial gut communities and virulence-associated behaviours, suggesting food additives may be a niche for the discovery of novel anti-virulence compounds. Here, we identify three artificial sweeteners, saccharin, cyclamate and acesulfame-K (ace-K), that have a major growth inhibitory effect on priority pathogens. We further characterise the impact of ace-K on multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, demonstrating that it can disable virulence behaviours such as biofilm formation, motility and the ability to acquire exogenous antibiotic-resistant genes. Further analysis revealed the mechanism of growth inhibition is through bulge-mediated cell lysis and that cells can be rescued by cation supplementation. Antibiotic sensitivity assays demonstrated that at sub-lethal concentrations, ace-K can resensitise A. baumannii to last resort antibiotics, including carbapenems. Using a novel ex vivo porcine skin wound model, we show that ace-K antimicrobial activity is maintained in the wound microenvironment. Our findings demonstrate the influence of artificial sweeteners on pathogen behaviour and uncover their therapeutic potential.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Edulcorantes
/
Antibacterianos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article