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Diabetes drug may be capable of eradicating drug resistant TB

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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : December 18, 2014 6:16 PM IST

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There is finally some hope for people suffering from drug resistant TB. A new study has found that a common drug used to treat diabetes, Metformin, can help boost the efficacy of medication used to treat tuberculosis.

What did the study find?

According to Amit Singhal, project leader at Singapore Immunology Network, 'Using MET as an adjunct treatment for TB is very promising since this drug interferes with the biochemical pathway essential for the bacteria's survival and does not promote the development of drug resistance.'

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  • The researchers found that MET does not target the bacteria directly. Instead, it targets the host cells to trigger the production of a chemical which then damages Mtb and stops its replication. Such indirect, host-targeted approach is less likely to cause drug resistance.
  • The team also discovered that MET improves the efficacy of conventional anti-TB drugs when used in combination with them.
  • What's more is the fact that metformin is a cheap drug and is easily accessible making the possibility of wiping out drug resistant tuberculosis in its entirety.
  • The findings could lead to a more effective treatment for the infectious disease that kills close to 1.5 million people every year.

The study appeared in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

What is drug resistant TB?

This form of TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the causative organism for TB) that has mutated to resist attacks from common drugs used to kill the infection. This menace has rendered common lines of treatment useless and has spread like wild fire, making the disease all the more difficult to treat.

What are the symptoms and treatment for TB?

A patient with TB may experience symptoms such as chest pain, coughing blood, recurrent and constant cough, night sweats, fever, fatigue and weakness, loss of appetite, and pain in breathing or coughing. In addition, the lymph nodes near the heart and lungs also become enlarged.

The treatment for TB takes a long time and involves following the doctor's instructions very carefully. The entire course of drugs needs to be completed even if the patient 'feels' better. Not doing so can lead to relapse and development of drug-resistant forms of TB. The WHO recommended strategy for tuberculosis control is DOTS Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course

Some newer drugs like Bedaquiline, Delaminid and PA-824, are also being tested in various centres across India to treat both drug sensitive and resistant TB. Read why India must win the battle against TB.

With inputs from IANS

Image source: Getty Images

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