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Macrolide therapy in chronic inflammatory diseases.
Brygida Kwiatkowska1, Maria Maślińska
1Department of Early Diagnosis of Arthritis, Institute of Rheumatology, Spartanska 1, 02-627 Warsaw, Poland.
Mediators of Inflammation
|September 13, 2012
Summary
Macrolide antibiotics, like erythromycin, target bacterial protein synthesis. Newer macrolides offer improved side effects and broader antimicrobial activity, with emerging immunomodulatory roles in treating inflammatory disorders.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Macrolides are antibiotics characterized by a macrocyclic lactone ring and sugars.
- Erythromycin, the prototype, inhibits bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosome subunit.
- Developed macrolides possess improved safety profiles and expanded antimicrobial spectra compared to erythromycin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the antimicrobial properties of macrolides.
- To explore the immunomodulatory effects of macrolides beyond their antibacterial actions.
- To assess the potential of macrolides in treating inflammatory conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of macrolide antibiotics.
- Analysis of studies on macrolide mechanisms of action.
- Examination of clinical and preclinical data on macrolide efficacy.
Main Results:
- Macrolides exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, including against atypical bacteria and mycobacteria.
- Macrolides demonstrate immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines and affecting key cellular pathways.
- Efficacy in treating inflammatory disorders independent of infection is being investigated.
Conclusions:
- Macrolides possess both antibacterial and significant immunomodulatory properties.
- Their anti-inflammatory effects involve cytokine inhibition and modulation of transcription factors and cell adhesion molecules.
- Further research is warranted to explore expanded therapeutic indications for macrolides as immunomodulators.
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