MMP-9 and demodex - the missing link ?

The author was kind enough to provide a copy of his published letter. The PubMed and Journal only mention the title.

Doxycycline at subantimicrobial doses, inhibits MMP activity. It is sold under the trade name Periostat. See below for other related Rosacea News items.

Some extracts from this paper ;

MMP-9 has already been evaluated as important for the development of the clinical picture in ocular rosacea.

Our study evaluated the association and correlation between the presence of D. folliculorum and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in rosacea patients.
…

(e) MMP-9 expression was statistically greater in fibroblasts in the cases of rosacea when D. folliculorum was presented, as compared to the cases of rosacea without D. folliculorum (P=0.035); and (f) a linear correlation was found between the presences of D. folliculorum and the degree of positivity for MMMp-9 expression in the fibroblasts of patients with rosacea (rx = +0.42).

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes created by resident cells of the peidermis and the dermis, and activated by several factors that are both internal and external to the organisms (infectious process for example).

In a situation of excessive MMP secretion and, if the MMPs are not adequately blocked by their specific tissue inhibitors, inflammatory cell activation, angiogenesis and destructuring of the dermal architecture resulting from collagenolysis may occur (three very important aspects in rosacea pathogeneis). Considering the acknowledged pathogenic actions and the association and correlation found in the present study, it is concluded that MMP-9 may be a further explanatory link between the presence of D. folliculorum and the clinical expression of certain cases of rosacea.

Could matrix metalloproteinase-9 be a link between Demodex folliculorum and rosacea?

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology, Volume 19 Issue 5 Page 646 - September 2005

LETTERS

RR Bonamigo, L Bakos, M Edelweiss, A Cartell

• Abstract Online (title only)
• PubMed Extract (title only)
• Rosacea News: COL-3 new tetracycline derivative being studied (designated as a Synthetic MMP (Matrix Metalloproteinsase) inhibitor).
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• Rosacea News: doxycycline and eye surface repair (The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of doxycycline as an inhibitor of corneal MMPs and assess its contribution to ocular surface repair mechanisms.)
• Rosacea News: low dose doxycycline hyclate (SDD)
• Rosacea News: Periostat (doxycycline) goes generic, get ready for Oracea (Oracea (the new sustained release 40 mg tablet) has more anti-inflammatory actions than taking periostat twice daily.))
• Rosacea News: demodex mites and blepharitis eye lashes
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Read more about: demodex mites