Effects of tetracyclines on bone metabolism

Division of Basic Sciences, Unit of Oral Medicine and Pathology, New York University College of Dentistry, NY 10010, USA.

The anti-resorptive properties of tetracyclines (TCs) and their non-antimicrobial, chemically modified analogues (CMTs) have enormous therapeutic potential in medicine and dentistry. Osseous destructive diseases associated with excessive mammalian collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase) activity and collagen breakdown include malignancy, arthritis, and periodontitis. However, apart from the significant antimatrix metalloproteinase effects of TCs, TCs/CMTs are also potent inhibitors of osteoclast function (i.e., anti-resorptive). Thus, TCs can affect several parameters of osteoclast function and consequently inhibit bone resorption by (1) altering intracellular calcium concentration and interacting with the putative calcium receptor; (2) decreasing ruffled border area; (3) diminishing acid production; (4) diminishing the secretion of lysosomal cysteine proteinases (cathepsins); (5) inducing cell retraction by affecting podosomes; (6) inhibiting osteoclast gelatinase activity; (7) selectively inhibiting osteoclast ontogeny or development; and (8) inducing apoptosis or programmed cell death of osteoclasts. TCs/CMTs, as anti-resorptive drugs, may act similarly to bisphosphonates and primarily affect osteoclast function.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. C. de Oliveira, E. Carneiro, T. M. Cestari, R. Taga, and J. M. Granjeiro Dynamics of Subcutaneous Tissue Response to the Implantation of Tetracycline-Treated or Untreated Membrane of Demineralized Bovine Cortical Bone in Rats J Biomater Appl, October 1, 2006; 21(2): 167 - 178. [Abstract] [PDF]

				I. I. Kuzin, J. E. Snyder, G. D. Ugine, D. Wu, S. Lee, T. Bushnell Jr, R. A. Insel, F. M. Young, and A. Bottaro Tetracyclines inhibit activated B cell function Int. Immunol., July 1, 2001; 13(7): 921 - 931. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]