Acne vulgaris and macrolide antimicrobials therapy

A possible mechanism of action of acne vulgaris (acne) therapy with roxithromycin was summarized. Roxithromycin is distributed to acne lesions in concentrations at which it has antibacterial activity against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes). The mechanisms by which roxithromycin affects acne include: (1) antibacterial action; (2) inhibition of production of bacterial lipases and neutrophil chemotactic factor by P. acnes; (3) inhibition of the production of active oxygen species by neutrophils; and (4) inhibition of adhesion molecules expressed on endothelial cells.