Effect of Doxycycline and PUVA Light on Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Function

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) are a cornerstone of host defense against infection, and the interaction of PMNLs with antimicrobial agents has been extensively studied [10, 14, 15]. Reports on the effect of tetracyclines on PMNL functions are contradictory. Chlortetracycline and doxycycline seem to markedly inhibit the phagocytic activity of the cells [5, 18] while no such effect has been demonstrated with tetracycline hydrochloride [9]. More recent reports [16, 17] have demonstrated only a slight decrease in phagocytosis of 32P-labeled Escherichia coli by human and rat PMNLs. Doxycycline administrated to healthy individuals has also been shown to slightly inhibit the migration to skin chambers [4].