Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, induce phenotypic antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli: roles of marA and acrB

FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2018 Nov 1;365(22). doi: 10.1093/femsle/fny251.

Abstract

The factors contributing to antibiotic resistance in bacteria are an important area of study. Sodium salicylate (NaSal), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), increases antibiotic resistance by inducing the expression of MarA, a transcription factor, which increases the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump. MarA is a substrate of Lon protease and the Δlon strain displays a high degree of antibiotic resistance. This study was initiated to identify commonly used NSAIDs that may induce antibiotic resistance and to compare their efficacies with NaSal and acetyl salicylic acid (ASA). Quantitative real-time expression analysis revealed induction of marA and acrB by NaSal, ASA, acetaminophen (APAP) and ibuprofen. Further, dose studies demonstrated that NaSal and ASA induce resistance at ∼2 mM while APAP and ibuprofen induce resistance at ∼5-10 mM. To dissect the roles of key molecules, atomic force microscopy and functional studies were performed using WT, Δlon, ΔmarA, ΔacrB, ΔlonΔmarA and ΔlonΔacrB strains. The induction of antibiotic resistance by NaSal, ASA and APAP is relatively higher and is partly dependent on marA, whereas ibuprofen which induces lower antibiotic resistance shows complete marA dependence. Notably, NaSal, ASA, APAP and ibuprofen induce antibiotic resistance in an acrB-dependent manner. The possible significance of some NSAIDs in inducing antibiotic resistance is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ibuprofen / pharmacology*
  • Microscopy, Atomic Force
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protease La / genetics
  • Protease La / metabolism
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism

Substances

  • AcrB protein, E coli
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • MarA protein, E coli
  • Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Acetaminophen
  • Protease La
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Ibuprofen