Tetracycline biochemical effects

Labbe, G. et al. (1991) Effects of various tetracycline derivatives on in vitro and in vivo beta-oxidation of fatty acids, egress of triglycerides from the liver, accumulation of hepatic triglycerides, and mortality in mice. Biochemical Pharmacology, 41 (4), 638-641. 

Pelletier JP, Cloutier JM, Martel-Pelletier J (1989) In vitro effects of tiaprofenic acid, sodium salicylate and hydrocortisone on the proteoglycan metabolism of human osteoarthritic cartilage. J Rheumatol 16 646-655 Steinmeyer J, Daufeldt S, Taiwo YO (1998) Pharmacological effect of tetracyclines on proteoglycanases from interleukin-l-treated articular cartilage. Biochem Pharmacol 55 93-100... 

Tetracyclines, especially demeclocycline, are among the most effective ocular hypotensive agents, according to studies in rabbits and cats. The biochemical mechanism of this effect is unknown. The prolonged effect and apparent lack of adverse ocular adverse effects suggest their possible usefulness for treating glaucoma in man (SEDA-15, 260). 

Early explanations of the mechanism of action of tetracyclines involved their demonstrated ability to inhibit various bacterial enzymes that catalyzed such biochemically essential reactions as glucose oxidation and oxidative phosphorylations. Their ability effectively to chelate di- and trivalent metallic ions was also invoked in the theorization. However, at clinically achievable serum levels the bacteriostatic effects of tetracyclines are now accepted to involve primarily direct inhibition of protein synthesis. 

---