Mechanism of Qiguiyin Decoction Sensitizing Levofloxacin Against Multidrug-Resistant Infection Based on PK-PD and Antibody Chip Technology.

BACKGROUND

Qiguiyin decoction (QGYD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and its combined application with levofloxacin (LVFX) has been confirmed effective in the clinical treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR PA) infection. This study investigated the therapeutic effect and possible mechanism of QGYD in sensitizing LVFX against MDR PA infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Pulmonary infections were induced in rats by MDR PA. The changes in pharmacokinetics-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) parameters of LVFX after combined with QGYD were investigated in MDR PA-induced rats. Subsequently, the correlation between PK and PD was analyzed and PK-PD models were established to elucidate the relationship between QGYD-induced alterations in LVFX metabolism and its sensitization to LVFX. Antibody chip technology was used to detect the levels of inflammatory factors, suggesting the relationship between the beneficial effect of immune regulation and the sensitization of QGYD.

RESULTS

QGYD significantly enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of LVFX against MDR PA infection. The combination of QGYD changed the PK parameters of LVFX such as T, t, MRT, V/F, CL/F and PD parameters such as MIC, AUC/MIC. Predicted results from PK-PD models demonstrated that the antibacterial effect of LVFX was significantly enhanced with the combination of QGYD, consistent with experimental findings. Antibody chip results revealed that the combination of QGYD made IL-1 β, IL-6, TNF- α, IL-10, and MCP-1 levels more akin to those of the blank group.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicated that QGYD could change the PK-PD behaviors of LVFX and help the body restore immune balance faster. This implied that a potential drug interaction might occur between QGYD and LVFX, leading to improved clinical efficacy when combined.