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Clarithromycin inhibits the development of dermatitis in NC/Nga mice
Yuki Hashimoto1, Yoshie Kaneda, Nobutaka Takahashi
1Pharmacology Laboratory, Medicinal Research Laboratories, Taisho Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Saitama, Japan. yuki.hashimoto@po.rd.taisho.co.jp
Background:
Colonization of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin is one of the exacerbating factors of atopic dermatitis (AD). Reduction of bacterial colonization in these lesions was reported to be effective for the treatment of subjects with AD. Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy of FK-506 (an immunosuppressive macrolide) ointment for AD, and many case reports have been published regarding its positive effects for other inflammatory skin diseases. Clarithromycin (CAM) is a macrolide antibiotic with immunological effects. One patient with AD was treated effectively with oral CAM for Helicobacter pylori infection. NC/Nga (NC) mice have recently been recognized to be a model of AD.
Methods:
We examined the effects of CAM on the development of dermatitis, infiltration of mast cells and MHC class II-positive cells in the skin and the colonization of S. aureus on the skin of NC mice. CAM was compared with cefaclor, an antibiotic with no immunological effects.
Results:
CAM suppressed the development of dermatitis at 5 and 6 weeks to a statistically significant degree, and these effects gradually weakened, but the severity of the dermis of CAM-treated mice was milder than in control mice. Dexamethasone was effective in the case of development of dermatitis at 5 weeks. These effects gradually weakened, and the difference between dexamethasone-treated mice and control mice disappeared. The severity of the skin lesions in CAM-treated mice was the lowest of the three groups at 9 weeks of observation. Histological analyses revealed that infiltration of inflammatory cells, especially degranulated mast cells and MHC class II-positive cells, was significantly reduced. Thickening of the epidermis and hyperkeratosis in CAM-treated mice were less than in control mice. CAM and cefaclor completely inhibited S. aureus on the skin of NC mice, for all experimental periods. Dexamethasone provided inhibition at 5 weeks, but eventually the difference between dexamethasone-treated mice and control mice disappeared.
Conclusions:
CAM inhibited the development of dermatitis for the first half of the experimental period in NC mice as a result of antibacterial and immunological effects. Our data show that CAM can be an effective antibiotic for AD with respect to delaying the development of dermatitis.
Insights
Clarithromycin (CAM) effectively delayed atopic dermatitis (AD) development in mice by reducing inflammation and Staphylococcus aureus colonization. This macrolide antibiotic demonstrated significant antibacterial and immunological effects, offering a potential new treatment for AD.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Staphylococcus aureus colonization exacerbates atopic dermatitis (AD).
- FK-506 has shown efficacy in treating AD.
- Clarithromycin (CAM) is a macrolide antibiotic with known immunological effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of Clarithromycin (CAM) on atopic dermatitis (AD) development in NC mice.
- To compare CAM's efficacy with cefaclor, an antibiotic lacking immunological effects.
Main Methods:
- Examined CAM's impact on dermatitis, mast cell infiltration, MHC class II-positive cells, and S. aureus colonization in NC mice.
- Compared CAM with cefaclor and dexamethasone.
Main Results:
- CAM significantly suppressed dermatitis development and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration (mast cells, MHC class II-positive cells).
- CAM and cefaclor completely inhibited S. aureus skin colonization; dexamethasone's effect waned.
- CAM-treated mice showed the mildest skin lesions and reduced epidermal thickening/hyperkeratosis.
Conclusions:
- CAM demonstrated both antibacterial and immunological effects, inhibiting dermatitis development in NC mice.
- CAM can be an effective antibiotic for atopic dermatitis (AD), delaying its progression.
