Fluoroquinolones cause changes in extracellular matrix, signalling proteins, metalloproteinases and caspase-3 in cultured human tendon cells

Sendzik J, Shakibaei M, Schäfer-Korting M, Stahlmann R · Toxicology

Both drugs caused dose- and time-dependent decreases in matrix and signalling proteins with increased matrix metalloproteinases and caspase-3 (apoptosis) — a plausible cellular mechanism for tendon degeneration at concentrations near therapeutic.

Population

Cultured human tenocytes

Intervention

Ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin, 0–100 mg/L

Comparator

Untreated cultures

Limitations

Cell culture; tendon cells rather than chondrocytes; concentration-exposure mapping to clinical dosing imperfect.