EFFECT OF TETRACYCLINES ON COLLAGENASE ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT APHTHOUS ULCERS

Human neutrophil-type (MMP-8) and fibroblast-type (MMP-1) interstitial colla genase, and their inhibition by tetracyclines in saliva from pa tients with recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU) or aphthae, were studied b y means of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis ( SDS-PAGE) and enzymological analyses. In the salivary specimens obtain ed from patients with aphthae, collagenase was found in endogenously a ctive form and was predominantly of MMP-8 type. Topical rinsing treatm ent with chlortetracycline (Aureomycin(R)) alleviated the discomfort c aused by the lesions but did not reduce salivary collagenase amounts; however in vitro, doxycycline inhibited salivary collagenase totally.