Novel anti-acne actions of nadifloxacin and clindamycin that inhibit the production of sebum, prostaglandin E(2) and promatrix metalloproteinase-2 in hamster sebocytes.

Acne vulgaris is characteristic of excess sebum production and the induction of inflammatory reactions, for example, the augmentation of cytokine, prostaglandin (PG) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production in sebaceous glands and pilosebaceous units. As Propionibacterium acnes is considered to be involved in the aggravation of acne vulgaris, antimicrobial agents have been found to be effective for treating acne leading to the remission of inflammation. However, it is not fully understood whether antimicrobial agents influence sebum production and/or the inflammatory reactions in sebaceous gland cells (sebocytes).