Investigating the mitotoxicity of fluoroquinolone Antibiotics

Antibiotics are the most fundamental tools we have in the fight against bacterial infections. Without these drugs, bacterial infections that could otherwise be easily treatable could become life-threatening, as such it has become essential to ensure that these drugs can continue to be used and remain effective. Recently, a group of antibiotics, known as fluoroquinolones, have been shown to cause number of severe and potentially permanent disabling side-effects in a small proportion of the people who are prescribed them. This has resulted in the use of these highly-effective antibiotics being restricted due to the potential side-effects.

Further research has demonstrated that the side-effects of fluoroquinolones result from off-target effects in mitochondria in some patients, though it is unclear why some individuals suffer these side-effects while others do not. Mitochondria are the power producing units contained within every cell in our bodies. They are required to breakdown nutrients into energy for cells to use. Importantly, inside each one of these units are copies of the DNA instructions vital for their function. If these instructions change or become damaged the cell may not function properly, thereby leading to disease. This research aims to establish why some individuals suffer from these severe side-effects by investigating the mechanisms employed by cells to protect their mitochondrial DNA. By understanding this process, it will potentially be possible to screen-out individuals who are likely to suffer these adverse effects before prescribing. Importantly, having this approach would ensure that these vital drugs can continue to be used safely.