title: [Immunomodulatory properties of macrolides].
abstract: Airways have a highly sophisticated immune defense system, so an excessive or inappropriate inflammatory response can result in development of numerous complications of respiratory tract diseases. During inflammation, due to increased metabolism of various immune system cells, free oxygen radicals and other chemical compounds are produced, which enhance oxidative stress, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of numerous pulmonary diseases, such as bronchial asthma, cystic fibrosis or COPD. Influence of antibiotics, not related to their bactericidal or bacteriostatic properties, on activity of the immune system is the subject of numerous studies and controversies. Immunomodulatory effect of antibacterial drugs can pose an additional therapeutic benefit, but also can cause an undesirable modification of immune processes as a result of hampering cell immunity or promoting an inflammatory response. It is thought that numerous antibiotics and chemotherapeutics can exert a nonspecific influence on inflammation activity, and such effect can be positively related to the concentration of a particular drug in immune system cells, especially in neutrophils. In some researches immunomodulatory effect of macrolides has been proven. The review presents current knowledge on the modulating properties of macrolides and possibilities of making use of theirs in a treatment of the lung diseases.
authors.affiliation: Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny w Warszawie, Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych, Pneumonologii i Alergologii CSK MON. targowski.tomasz@xl.wp.pl
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Targowski
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jahnz-Rózyk
mesh_terms: D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018942:Macrolides