Effects of Minocycline on Cytokine Levels in Severe Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2013-03-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
One of the important factors in obtaining successful outcomes when treating severe meibomian
gland dysfunction (MGD) is to control the existing ocular and eyelid inflammation. Thus, in
previous studies, topical and systemic antibiotics with anti-inflammatory function, such as
topical azithromycin, systemic tetracycline, doxycycline and minocycline, have been used to
treat severe MGD. In this study, minocycline which had the fewest side effects was used to
evaluate the effect on cytokine levels in severe MGD. At study initiation, all patients
completed an Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire and had an ocular surface,
tear, and meibomian gland evaluation that consisted of fluorescein tear break-up time (TBUT),
Schirmer test, corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining, microscopic examination of lid
margins and meibomian glands, and tear cytokine levels. All measurements except tear cytokine
levels were conducted in the same manner before treatment, after 1 month, and after 2 months
of treatment. Tear cytokine levels were evaluated before treatment and after 2 months of
treatment. The aim of this research was to determine the concentration of inflammatory
cytokines in the tears of patients with MGD and to compare the cytokine levels, corresponding
clinical responses, and ocular symptoms before and after 2 months of treatment with oral
minocycline.