Author(s): Emily Allan, Cori Bailie, Elyza Lester
Mentor(s): Lauren Brooks
Institution UVU
Methamphetamine (meth) use is a growing public health issue, causing serious damage to the physical and mental health of the individual that can persist even when drug use has ceased. There is limited data on meth’s potential disturbance of the gut microbiome and its long-term implications on human health. The gut microbiome is a crucial system for human health, affecting digestion, immunity, and the mental well-being of an individual. It is well-documented that the gut microbiome is highly diverse and affected by numerous factors, many of which we don’t yet know. While observational research has investigated how methamphetamine use changes this important microbiome system, detailed information on how meth use impacts specific species is lacking. In this study, we reviewed the gene sequencing of the previous observational research and conducted our analysis of the data. We found that there didn’t appear to be any significant impacts except for a slightly lower alpha diversity in casual meth users. To confirm the effects of this drug, we tested two concentrations of Pseudoephedrine, a drug structurally similar to methamphetamine that is commonly used to alleviate sinus infections, against three of the most common gut bacteria: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. We also tested phenylephrine, an alternative active ingredient to Pseudoephedrine in over-the-counter treatments for sinus congestion. Both drugs were tested at concentrations of 0.1 g/mL and 1 g/mL to evaluate the effects of concentration. Optical density measurements were taken every 5 minutes for 24 hours, allowing us to record the growth curve for each treatment. Statistical analyses on the growth rates suggest Pseudoephedrine, and therefore, likely, meth, impacts the growth of gut microbiota, possibly contributing to the previously observed differences in gut microbial communities in meth users. These findings will give insight into the potential effects that meth use may be having on an individual's gut microbiome.