Use of anti-collagenase properties of doxycycline in treatment of alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency panniculitis

Acta Derm Venereol. 1991;71(3):189-94.

Abstract

Three patients (a 71-year-old man and 2 women, 73 and 50 years, respectively) with recurrent panniculitis associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency are presented. Because the concept of chronic and exaggerated inflammatory response in the patients with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is based on the theory of protease-antiprotease imbalance, we suggest that tetracyclines will alleviate this condition. Indeed, tetracyclines were found to inhibit collagenase activity. The total remission of the condition in these 3 patients underlines for the first time the effects of doxycycline on a condition characterized by deficiency of the antiprotease system. A review of the 23 reported cases of panniculitis associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency is presented in table form.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease
  • Doxycycline / administration & dosage
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microbial Collagenase / drug effects
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Panniculitis / drug therapy*
  • Panniculitis / enzymology
  • Panniculitis / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin / physiology
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency*

Substances

  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin
  • Microbial Collagenase
  • Doxycycline