Heart Drug Found to Combat Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Repurposed Heart Drug Shows Promise Against Deadly Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

ATLANTA, GA – A drug previously used to treat heart arrhythmias is demonstrating a remarkable ability to kill Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly dangerous, antibiotic-resistant bacterium prevalent in hospital settings. The groundbreaking research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), offers a potential fast-track solution to the growing crisis of antimicrobial resistance.

Acinetobacter baumannii disproportionately impacts immunocompromised patients and those on ventilators, often causing severe and difficult-to-treat infections. Traditional antibiotics are increasingly ineffective against this pathogen, leaving clinicians with limited options.

Researchers at Emory University have pioneered a novel approach: rather of searching for new antibiotics, they focused on identifying vulnerabilities specific to antibiotic-resistant strains of the bacteria. Thier inquiry revealed that fendiline, a calcium channel blocker, disrupts the essential lipoprotein trafficking pathway within the bacterium – a pathway already weakened by antibiotic resistance.”It’s critical that we find more and better therapeutics that can target these antibiotic-resistant infections,” explains Philip Rather, professor at Emory University School of Medicine and the study’s corresponding author. “This novel finding repurposes an existing drug, exploits a newly identified vulnerability, and opens doors for developing new antibiotics targeting similar pathways.”

Jennifer Colquhoun, research scientist at emory and the study’s first author, adds that the revelation represents a meaningful step forward. “We’re not just looking for compounds that kill bacteria; we’re looking for compounds that exploit the weaknesses created by resistance itself.”

Why This Matters: A Turning Point in the Fight Against Superbugs?

The potential benefits of this discovery are significant. fendiline is already FDA-approved for human use, meaning it could perhaps bypass lengthy and expensive drug development processes and move into clinical trials more quickly. This is crucial, as the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections is outpacing the development of new antibiotics.

Moreover, fendiline appears to selectively target Acinetobacter baumannii, leaving the beneficial bacteria in a patient’s gut microbiome unharmed. This is a critical advantage,as broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt the gut flora,leading to secondary infections and other health complications.

The Looming Threat of Antibiotic resistance: A Global Health Crisis

the emergence of antibiotic resistance isn’t a new phenomenon, but its acceleration in recent decades is deeply concerning. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine and agriculture have driven the evolution of bacteria capable of evading the effects of these drugs.

This creates a dangerous cycle: infections become harder to treat, hospital stays lengthen, healthcare costs rise, and mortality rates increase. The World Health Organization considers antibiotic resistance one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity.Looking Ahead: Repurposing as a Strategy

The Emory University study highlights the potential of “drug repurposing” – finding new uses for existing medications – as a viable strategy in the fight against antibiotic resistance. This approach can considerably reduce the time and cost associated with bringing new treatments to market.

Researchers are now focused on further investigating fendiline’s efficacy and safety in preclinical models, paving the way for potential human clinical trials. The hope is that this repurposed heart drug could soon offer a lifeline to patients battling life-threatening infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Source: Emory University News
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2423650122

How could repurposing digoxin impact antibiotic stewardship programs in hospitals facing high rates of antibiotic resistance?

The Unexpected Weapon Against Superbugs

The escalating crisis of antibiotic resistance is a global health threat, demanding innovative solutions. Recent research has revealed a surprising ally in this fight: a common heart drug, specifically digoxin, traditionally used to treat conditions like atrial fibrillation and heart failure. This isn’t a replacement for developing new antibiotics, but a potentially crucial adjunct therapy.

How Digoxin Disrupts Bacterial Defense mechanisms

For years, scientists have understood that bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics through various mechanisms, including efflux pumps – essentially, tiny pumps that actively remove antibiotics from the bacterial cell. Digoxin appears to interfere with these pumps, specifically those belonging to the multidrug resistance (MDR) family.

Here’s a breakdown of the process:

Inhibition of Efflux Pumps: Digoxin binds to and inhibits the function of bacterial efflux pumps. This prevents bacteria from expelling antibiotics, increasing their intracellular concentration and restoring antibiotic effectiveness.

Targeted Bacteria: Initial studies have shown digoxin to be especially effective against Gram-negative bacteria,including strains of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa – all notorious for their antibiotic resistance.

synergistic Effects: Digoxin doesn’t typically kill bacteria on it’s own. Instead, it dramatically enhances the effectiveness of existing antibiotics, even those the bacteria have previously become resistant to. This synergistic effect is key.

Digoxin and Atrial Tachycardia: A Serendipitous Connection?

Interestingly, the link between digoxin and bacterial resistance may not be entirely coincidental. Research suggests that some bacteria can form biofilms – complex communities encased in a protective matrix – and these biofilms are frequently enough found in association with cardiac devices and in patients with conditions like atrial tachycardia. Digoxin’s known effects on cellular ion channels might also play a role in disrupting biofilm formation, further contributing to its antibacterial potential. (Mayo Clinic research highlights the prevalence of atrial tachycardia, potentially increasing exposure scenarios: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-tachycardia/symptoms-causes/syc-20573298)

Clinical Trials and Research Updates (2025)

Several clinical trials are currently underway to assess the safety and efficacy of digoxin as an adjunct therapy for antibiotic-resistant infections.

Phase 2 Trials: Early Phase 2 trials have demonstrated promising results in patients with chronic infections, such as cystic fibrosis-related lung infections and chronic urinary tract infections.

Combination Therapies: Researchers are exploring optimal digoxin dosages and combinations with various antibiotics, including carbapenems and colistin, to maximize synergistic effects.

Focus on Sepsis: A meaningful area of investigation is the potential for digoxin to improve outcomes in patients with sepsis caused by multidrug-resistant organisms.

Benefits of Repurposing Existing Drugs

The use of digoxin to combat antibiotic resistance exemplifies the power of drug repurposing. This approach offers several advantages:

Reduced Development Time: Digoxin is already an approved drug with a well-established safety profile, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with bringing a new treatment to market.

Lower Risk of Toxicity: As the drug’s effects on the human body are already understood, the risk of unforeseen toxicities is lower compared to novel antibiotics.

Economic advantages: Repurposing existing drugs is generally more affordable than developing new ones, making it a potentially accessible solution for healthcare systems worldwide.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

While digoxin shows promise,it’s crucial to acknowledge potential side effects. Digoxin can affect heart rhythm and electrolyte balance.

Monitoring is Essential: Patients receiving digoxin as an adjunct therapy will require careful monitoring of their ECG, potassium levels, and renal function.

drug Interactions: Digoxin interacts with numerous other medications, necessitating a thorough review of a patient’s medication list.

Not a Standalone Treatment: digoxin should always be used in conjunction with antibiotics, not as a replacement.

future Directions in Antibacterial Research

The discovery of digoxin’s antibacterial properties underscores the importance of exploring unconventional approaches to combat antibiotic resistance. Future research will likely focus on:

Identifying other repurposed drugs: Screening existing drug libraries for compounds with similar efflux pump inhibitory activity.

Developing novel efflux pump inhibitors: Designing new molecules specifically targeted at bacterial efflux pumps.

* Investigating choice antibacterial strategies: Exploring phage therapy, immunotherapy, and other innovative approaches.

Keywords: antibiotic resistance, digoxin, heart drug, multidrug resistance, MDR, bacterial efflux pumps, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, sepsis, drug repurposing, synergistic effect, Gram-negative bacteria, cystic fibrosis, carbapenems, colistin, antibiotic stewardship, bacterial infections.

LSI Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, superbugs, antibiotic overuse, hospital-acquired infections, infectious disease, pharmaceutical research,