Anti-inflammatory capabilities of macrolides.
Macrolide antibiotics play a significant role in clinical practise due not only to their antibacterial activity, but also to their accompanying anti-inflammatory effect that is independent of their antibiotic action. Several studies reported in literature show that macrolides affect several inflammatory processes, such as migration of neutrophils, the oxidative burst in phagocytes and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, although the precise mechanisms are not clear. They also inhibit eosinophilic inflammation and may be useful in the treatment of patients with steroid-dependent asthma. Macrolides are also effective in diffuse panbronchiolitis, chronic sinusitis and inflammatory skin diseases.
Zalewska-Kaszubska
J
J
Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical University, Muszyńskiego 1, 90-145 Lódz, Poland.
Górska
D
D
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016207:Cytokines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010586:Phagocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D018942:Macrolides; D016328:NF-kappa B; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species