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20/02/2012
Old Antibiotic Could Be A New Weapon To Fight TB
A cheap and safe antibiotic that is widely available in the developing world might have a new use as a tuberculosis (TB) treatment, according to new research.
TB kills almost 2 million people a year worldwide, and is increasingly becoming resistant to the antibiotics used to treat it, but there are few new drugs in the pipeline. Doxycycline was introduced in 1967 and is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, but until now has not been recognised as effective against TB.
The new study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, suggests that doxycycline might stop the bacteria from growing and also prevent the disease from damaging the lungs.
Last year, researchers at Imperial College London discovered that TB increases the production of an enzyme called MMP-1, and that this enzyme is responsible for destroying lung tissue.
Now they have found that doxycycline suppresses the production of the tissue-destroying enzyme in TB-infected human cells. They also found that doxycycline directly inhibits the growth of the bacteria in guinea pigs - a surprising result since the drug has been widely used as an antibiotic for over 40 years but has not been considered effective against TB.
"TB treatment has remained unchanged for over 30 years, and totally drug-resistant strains are emerging, so there's a real need for new drugs." said Dr Paul Elkington, from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, who led the study. "Because doxycycline is cheap, safe and widely available throughout the developing world, it may be a useful new treatment for TB that can be used in resource-poor settings. Our results so far are promising but we have only looked at human cells and animal models. We hope to carry out a clinical trial soon to test whether doxycycline is effective at combating TB in patients."
The researchers found further evidence for the antibiotic effect of doxycycline in TB bacteria grown in a liquid broth. The higher the concentration of doxycycline, the lower the rate of bacterial growth.
They also studied HIV-infected TB patients in South Africa to look for further evidence that MMP-1 is responsible for destroying lung tissue. They found that concentrations of this enzyme were suppressed in people with advanced HIV infection, explaining for the first time why such patients do not suffer from such extensive lung destruction when they get TB.
The Imperial team worked with collaborators at the University of Cape Town and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at Porton Down. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Wellcome Trust, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Imperial, and the HPA.
(GK)
TB kills almost 2 million people a year worldwide, and is increasingly becoming resistant to the antibiotics used to treat it, but there are few new drugs in the pipeline. Doxycycline was introduced in 1967 and is used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections, but until now has not been recognised as effective against TB.
The new study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, suggests that doxycycline might stop the bacteria from growing and also prevent the disease from damaging the lungs.
Last year, researchers at Imperial College London discovered that TB increases the production of an enzyme called MMP-1, and that this enzyme is responsible for destroying lung tissue.
Now they have found that doxycycline suppresses the production of the tissue-destroying enzyme in TB-infected human cells. They also found that doxycycline directly inhibits the growth of the bacteria in guinea pigs - a surprising result since the drug has been widely used as an antibiotic for over 40 years but has not been considered effective against TB.
"TB treatment has remained unchanged for over 30 years, and totally drug-resistant strains are emerging, so there's a real need for new drugs." said Dr Paul Elkington, from the Department of Medicine at Imperial College London, who led the study. "Because doxycycline is cheap, safe and widely available throughout the developing world, it may be a useful new treatment for TB that can be used in resource-poor settings. Our results so far are promising but we have only looked at human cells and animal models. We hope to carry out a clinical trial soon to test whether doxycycline is effective at combating TB in patients."
The researchers found further evidence for the antibiotic effect of doxycycline in TB bacteria grown in a liquid broth. The higher the concentration of doxycycline, the lower the rate of bacterial growth.
They also studied HIV-infected TB patients in South Africa to look for further evidence that MMP-1 is responsible for destroying lung tissue. They found that concentrations of this enzyme were suppressed in people with advanced HIV infection, explaining for the first time why such patients do not suffer from such extensive lung destruction when they get TB.
The Imperial team worked with collaborators at the University of Cape Town and the Health Protection Agency (HPA) at Porton Down. The research was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), the Wellcome Trust, the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Imperial, and the HPA.
(GK)
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Breastfeeding Incentive Pilot Scheme Launched
Shopping vouchers worth up to £200 are to be offered to new mothers as an incentive to breastfeed. A pilot scheme, funded in collaboration by the government and the medical research sector, will be launched in "deprived areas" of South Yorkshire and Derbyshire.
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The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
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26 April 2007
Less women involved in drink fighting
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01 November 2011
Government Launch 'Pink' Campaign
Women cabinet ministers have announced they are uniting with fellow female MPs to 'wear it pink' and raise awareness of breast cancer. Conservative Party Co-Chairman Sayeeda Warsi was joined by Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and Transport Secretary Justine Greening to highlight the campaign and raise awareness for Britain's most common cancer.
Government Launch 'Pink' Campaign
Women cabinet ministers have announced they are uniting with fellow female MPs to 'wear it pink' and raise awareness of breast cancer. Conservative Party Co-Chairman Sayeeda Warsi was joined by Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan and Transport Secretary Justine Greening to highlight the campaign and raise awareness for Britain's most common cancer.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
