Minocycline for short-term neuroprotection.
Minocycline is a widely used tetracycline antibiotic. For decades, it has been used to treat various gram-positive and gram-negative infections. Minocycline was recently shown to have neuroprotective properties in animal models of acute neurologic injury. As a neuroprotective agent, the drug appears more effective than other treatment options. In addition to its high penetration of the blood-brain barrier, minocycline is a safe compound commonly used to treat chronic infections. Its several mechanisms of action in neuroprotection -- antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, and protease inhibition -- make it a desirable candidate as therapy for acute neurologic injury, such as ischemic stroke. Minocycline is ready for clinical trials of acute neurologic injury.
Elewa
Hazem F
HF
Program in Clinical and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30912, USA.
Hilali
Hend
H
Hess
David C
DC
Machado
Livia S
LS
Fagan
Susan C
SC
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000517:prevention & control; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000187:drug effects; D008911:Minocycline / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D008911:Minocycline