Ciprofloxacin-induced antibacterial activity is reversed by vitamin E and vitamin C

Curr Microbiol. 2012 May;64(5):457-62. doi: 10.1007/s00284-012-0094-7. Epub 2012 Feb 18.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the possible involvement of oxidative stress in ciprofloxacin-induced cytotoxicity against several reference bacteria including Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213, and clinical isolate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Oxidative stress was assessed by measurement of hydrogen peroxide generation using a FACScan flow cytometer. The antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin was assessed using the disk diffusion method and by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Ciprofloxacin induced a dose-dependent antibacterial activity against all bacteria where the highest tested concentration was 100 ug/ml. Results revealed that E. coli cells were highly sensitive to ciprofloxacin (MIC = 0.21 μg/mL ± 0.087), P. aeruginosa and S. aureus cells were intermediately sensitive (MIC = 5.40 μg/mL ± 0.14; MIC = 3.42 μg/mL ± 0.377, respectively), and MRSA cells were highly resistant (MIC = 16.76 μg/mL ± 2.1). Pretreatment of E. coli cells with either vitamin E or vitamin C has significantly protected cells against ciprofloxacin-induced cytotoxicity. These results indicate the possible antagonistic properties for vitamins C or E when they are used concurrently with ciprofloxacin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology*
  • Ciprofloxacin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology
  • Drug Antagonism
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Vitamin E / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Vitamin E
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Ascorbic Acid