Doxycycline in autoimmune central nervous system disorders in children: an in vitro study

Anlar B., Senbil N., Gueven A.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS, vol.49, no.3, pp.274-277, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 49 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.274-277
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Tetracyclines have antiinflammatory properties. To test the in vitro effect of doxycycline in autoimmune neurological disorders of childhood, peripheral blood lymphocytes from multiple sclerosis (n=11), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n=12), and control patients (epilepsy and headache, n=12), all aged 5-17, were examined for proliferation, migration, and apoptosis after culture with doxycycline, concanavalin A and myelin basic protein for 48 hours. Doxycycline increased proliferation in the control group, and less in the multiple sclerosis group but not in the acute disseminated encephalomyelitis group (p < 0.03). It increased apoptosis in multiple sclerosis patients (p < 0.02). According to this preliminary study, doxycycline might have immunomodulatory effects in children, justifying future studies with larger and more homogeneous patient groups.