The inhibition effect of Chlorpromazine against the β-lactam resistance of MRSA

ObjectiveTo investigate the gene related to β-lactam resistance and to confirm the mechanism about a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics.MethodsTo measure antibacterial activity, we performed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and synergy test. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in morphological analysis. To analyze gene expression, we conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR).ResultsWe confirmed a synergy effect between CPZ and β-lactam antibiotics. Furthermore, we observed that CPZ affect the cell envelope of MRSA by using TEM. At the gene level, CPZ reduced the expression of resistance genes.ConclusionsThrough this result, we hypothesize that a decrease of resistance factor expressions was caused by CPZ because it disrupts the activity of a sensor protein located in the cell membrane.