Objective: We sought to determine the antiinflammatory properties of lymecycline in the long-term treatment of reactive arthritis (ReA).
Methods: Quantitative assay of collagenase activity by densitometry after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Results: Therapeutic levels of lymecycline do not directly inhibit the activity of human neutrophil interstitial collagenase, but can prevent the oxidative activation of latent human neutrophil collagenase.
Conclusion: This non-antimicrobial, anticollagenolytic property of lymecycline may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of patients with ReA.