Inhibitory effects of metronidazole on anaerobic metabolism of phenylalanine and leucine by Peptostreptococcus anaerobius.

The metabolism of phenylalanine and leucine by Peptostreptococcus anaerobius and the effects of metronidazole on this metabolism were studied. The cells metabolized both phenylalanine and leucine under strict anaerobic conditions and produced hydroxylated products (i.e. phenyllactate from phenylalanine and hydroxyisocaproate from leucine). Other products were phenylpropionate, cinnamate and phenylacetate from phenylalanine; isocaproate, alpha-ketoisocaproate and isovalerate from leucine. Metronidazole inhibited the production of all end-products, with the exception of phenyllactate and hydroxyisocaproate which were increased. Similarly, when the reaction was carried out aerobically, the cells also metabolized both phenylalanine and leucine and all end-products were inhibited again with the exception of phenyllactate and hydroxyisocaproate. Our results suggest that the inhibitory mode of metronidazole is similar to that of oxygen.