The synergistic therapeutic efficacy of vancomycin and omega-3 fatty acids alleviates Staphylococcus aureus-induced osteomyelitis in rats

Abstract Our study evaluated the synergistic impact of vancomycin and omega-3 fatty acids against osteomyelitis in a Staphylococcus aureus -induced rat model of osteomyelitis. The animals were grouped as follows: sham (group I), osteomyelitis (group II, control), vancomycin (20 mg/kg body weight, group III), omega-3 fatty acids (20 mg/kg body weight, group IV) and vancomycin (20 mg/kg body weight) + omega-3 fatty acids (20 mg/kg body weight) (group V). Lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. The determination of bacterial growth and histopathological analyses were carried out. The lipid peroxidation, GSH, SOD, catalase and Gpx levels recovered to near-normal levels following combined treatment with vancomycin and omega-3 fatty acids. The TNF-α and IL-6 levels were reduced to near-normal levels. Combined supplementation with vancomycin and omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced bacterial growth in bone and the implanted wire. Furthermore, the bone infection levels and histopathological score were reduced. In summary, combined treatment with vancomycin and omega-3 fatty acids was effective against bacterial growth and bone infection compared to monotherapy with vancomycin or omega-3 fatty acids.