title: Tetracyclines and the treatment of corneal stromal ulceration: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the potential value of tetracyclines in the treatment of corneal ulceration after moderate to severe ocular chemical injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of published materials describing landmarks in the development of tetracyclines as matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in ophthalmology and related disciplines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tetracyclines can protect the cornea against proteolytic degradation after moderate to severe ocular chemical injury. They inhibit matrix metalloproteinases by mechanisms independent of their antimicrobial properties, primarily through restriction of the gene expression of neutrophil collagenase and epithelial gelatinase, suppression of alpha1-antitrypsin degradation, and scavenging of reactive oxygen species.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral tetracyclines can be used along with topical tetracycline preparations and other therapeutic agents to inhibit collagenolytic degradation of the cornea after moderate to severe ocular chemical injuries.
authors.affiliation: Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Rockville, Maryland, USA. rralph61@post.harvard.com
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ralph
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000187:drug effects*; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000201:enzymology; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000201:enzymology; D013754:Tetracyclines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D013754:Tetracyclines; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases