Activity of N -Acetylcysteine Alone and in Combination with Colistin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms and Transcriptomic Response to N -Acetylcysteine Exposure

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-related chronic lung colonization contributes to cystic fibrosis (CF) disease progression. Colistin is often a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of such P. aeruginosa infections, and it has been increasingly used in CF, especially by nebulization. N -acetylcysteine (NAC) is a mucolytic agent with antioxidant activity, commonly administered with antibiotics for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections.

Molecular mechanisms of DNase inhibition of early biofilm formation Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Staphylococcus aureus: A transcriptome analysis

“…In addition, flagellar interactions promote the formation of bacterial biofilms and maintain their structure through contact with the surfaces of adjacent colonies [ 28 ]. P. aeruginosa flagellar assembly pathway genes are significantly repressed after the application of an antibiofilm agent [ 29 , 30 ]. The most significantly enriched GO items of downregulated BP genes included those involved in flagellum-dependent cell motility and cell motility.…”

Advances in the Use of N-Acetylcysteine in Chronic Respiratory Diseases

“…Besides restoring the redox imbalance and airway inflammation in CF, NAC may prevent and eliminate biofilms resulting from airway infections, particularly of Pseudomonas aeruginosa [ 91 , 96 ]. The potential of the combination of NAC and antibiotics in CF has been intensively studied in in vitro conditions [ 97 , 98 ].…”