Exploring glutathione as an adjuvant of anti-biofilm strategies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are involved in several infectious diseases and their eradication remains a challenge. Disrupting the biofilm matrix is the most attractive way to facilitate biofilm-cells eradication and glutathione has been exhibiting great potential as a biofilm disrupter agent. Therefore, this study aimed to explore antibiofilm strategies based on the combination of glutathione with two in-use antibiotics. Biofilms were formed and subjected to the action of combinatorial arrangements of glutathione with ciprofloxacin or tobramycin. Preliminary results showed that PAO1 biofilms were eradicated using glutathione+ciprofloxacin, in contrast to biofilms formed by a clinical isolate (PAI). Better outcomes were obtained using glutathione+tobramycin since biomass reduction occurred with lower dosages. Also, a different action than the usually described for glutathione is suggested. In conclusion, glutathione-tobramycin could be a potential anti-biofilm strategy.