The effects of minocycline on extracellular matrix in patients with chronic venous leg ulcers.

Aim. Chronic venous disease is widespread in western countries and its main complication, venous ulceration of lower limbs, represents an important issue affecting health care economic systems and quality of life of patients. Dysfunction in extra- cellular matrix often caused by metalloproteinases alteration may play an important role in ulcer formation and in delaying wound healing. Tetracyclines seems to have a modulatory ef- fect on metalloproteinases. In this study we tested the efficacy of minocycline in therapeutic managing of venous ulcers. Methods. An open label, parallel-groups, single clinical cen- ter study was conducted between January 2010 and October 2012. Sixty patients with venous ulceration of the lower limbs were recruited and were randomized into two groups: Group A 28 patients (6M/22F), Group B 32 patients (11M/21F). Pa- tients of Group A received the administration of oral doses of minocycline 50 mg b.i.d. for 3 months in addition to basic treatment (compression therapy followed or not by vein sur- gery). Patients of Group B received basic treatment only. Results. Group A showed a higher healing rate compared with group B as documented also by evaluation of levels of metalloproteinase-9, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipoli- calin and vascular endoth