Browsing by Author "Kiptoo Kamngoror Cosmas"

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    Effects of co-trimoxazole and amoxicillin therapy on gut microbiota population, physiological, biochemical and pathological parameters in Swiss mice
    (Chuka University, 2024) Kiptoo Kamngoror Cosmas
    Antibiotics have been utilized in treatment of bacterial infections since their discovery. Despite being beneficial in managing infections, antibiotics have significant implications on health by disrupting the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota comprises of wide range of microorganisms that inhabit the gut, including fungus, archaea, bacteria, and viruses. The gut microbiota plays pivotal role in health by influencing metabolic processes, immunological and neurobehavioral functions. This study investigated the impact of amoxicillin and co-trimoxazole on the gut bacterial population of mice, using three-week-old Swiss mice models simulating six-month-old human babies. The experiment aimed to assess physiological, biochemical, immuno-pathological changes, and the induction of oxidative stress. Male swiss mice were randomly assigned to five groups: normal control, amoxicillin group, septrin group, amoxicillin+septrin group, and amoxicillin+co-trimoxazole+probiotics. Over 63 days, mice were monitored, weighed after each antibiotic dosage. Euthanasia was performed using isoflurane, and blood samples was collected via cardiac puncture for hematological analysis. The liver, spleen, kidney, lungs and heart were harvested and weighed for determination relative organ weight (ROW), liver, brain and kidneys were harvested for histo-pathological examination. Serum obtained from whole blood underwent further analysis for various markers, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, urea and cytokines. Tissue glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, along with serum nitric oxide (NO), were determined to gauge oxidative stress. Numeric data underwent analysis using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukeys' post hoc test, with significance reported at p<0.05. Results, in form of graphs and images, revealed amoxicillin and septrin administered singly or in combination resulted in reduced gut microbiota population resulting in gut microbiota dysbiosis. Probiotics administration ameliorated the gut microbiota dysbiosis. There were no significant changes in body weight as well as relative organ weight (ROW) of the selected organs. Hematological exams revealed significant drop in the red blood cells (RBCs) count, hematocrit level and hemoglobin especially in amoxicillin+septrin treated group. White blood cells count (WBCs) was significantly elevated in septrin group compared to control, amoxicillin group, amoxicillin+septrin treated group and amoxicillin+septrin+probiotics treated group. Liver function test markers aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), AST:ALT ratio and alkaline phosphate (ALP), were significantly (p<0.05) elevated indicating liver damage. Kidney function markers showed elevated levels of creatinine, urea, uric acid and significant drop in the levels of albumin indicating kidney damage. Gut microbiota dysbiosis results in electrolyte imbalances noted by a drop in the levels of serum electrolytes; sodium, chloride and potassium. There were significant (p<0.05) elevated levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrotic factor alpha (TNF-α) indicating active inflammation, histological exams revealed tissue damage in the liver and kidneys, and oxidative stress indicated by elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in target organs. There were significant (p<0.05) elevated nitric oxide (NO) levels in the serum indicating active inflammation or damage to organ functions. Probiotics administration alongside antibiotics showed promising outcomes, by restoring gut microbiota population and consequently protecting the body from induction of immunological responses and inflammation, protection from oxidative stress and organ damage suggesting a potential avenue for ameliorating complications associated with antibiotic-induced dysbiosis. This comprehensive study highlights the intricate effects of antibiotics on gut microbiota and associated health parameters, emphasizing the need for cautious antibiotic use to mitigate potential adverse outcomes.