title: Effects of clarithromycin on inflammatory cell mediator release and survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clarithromycin exhibits anti-inflammatory as well as antimicrobial activity, leading to decreased symptoms of asthma and chronic sinusitis. The mode of anti-inflammatory effects of clarithromycin on inflammatory cells is not well understood. We hypothesized that clarithromycin inhibits inflammatory cell mediator release and survival.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the effects of this drug on survival and mediator release from mast cells, eosinophils and neutrophils.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Human eosinophil and neutrophil respiratory burst was inhibited by up to 54% after 1-2 h pretreatment with 100 microg/ml clarithromycin. Similar doses of erythromycin did not affect respiratory burst responses in these cells. Clarithromycin at doses of up to 100 microg/ml had no effect on granule-derived mediators released from mast cells and neutrophils. However, we found that clarithromycin (100 microg/ml) induced cell death in mast cells and eosinophils after 16-48 h incubation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clarithromycin inhibited inflammatory cell mediator release and survival, which may enhance its ability to reduce the symptoms of chronic sinusitis and asthma.
authors: Pulmonary Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors: Peter D
authors: PD
authors: Borszcz
authors: Dean
authors: D
authors: Befus
authors: Redwan
authors: R
authors: Moqbel
authors: Don D
authors: DD
authors: Sin
authors: Darryl J
authors: DJ
authors: Adamko
authors: S F Paul
authors: SF
authors: Man
authors: Paige
authors: P
authors: Lacy
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D002470:Cell Survival; D017291:Clarithromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016897:Respiratory Burst
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017291:Clarithromycin