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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Andrew Mellon, Professor John Mathers, Professor Kim Bartlett
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Background - Propionic acid derived from colonic bacterial fermentation contributes substantially to overall propionate load in children with disorders of propionate metabolism, and its reduction is important for adequate metabolic control. Aims - To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of antibiotic treatment on propionate production by colonic bacteria, and plasma propionate concentrations in a child with propionic acidaemia. Methods - In vitro fermentation techniques were used to study the effects of addition of antibiotics (metronidazole, clindamycin, erythromycin, and vancomycin) on net faecal production of short chain fatty acids including propionic acid. Courses of oral antibiotics of 7 days duration were used to assess the in vivo effects on faecal propionate production and metabolic control including plasma propionate concentrations. Results - Metronidazole produced the largest and most consistent reduction (77-84%) in the production in vitro of propionate from faecal homogenates. Oral administration of metronidazole reduced faecal propionate production by 43% within 24 hours of treatment; a 7 day course virtually eliminated it for the next 3 weeks. These reductions were accompanied by substantially lowered plasma propionate concentrations during the same period. Conclusions - Intermittent courses of oral metronidazole might be as effective as continuous treatment in reducing gut propionate production in children with disorders of propionate metabolism.
Author(s): Bartlett K; Mathers JC; Mellon AF; Deshpande SA
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood
Year: 2000
Volume: 82
Issue: 2
Pages: 169-172
Print publication date: 01/01/2000
ISSN (print): 0003-9888
ISSN (electronic): 1468-2044
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.82.2.169
DOI: 10.1136/adc.82.2.169
PubMed id: 10648377
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