Macrólidos en enfermedades inflamatorias crónicas de las vías respiratorias

We review the activity of macrolides in chronic inflammatory airway disease, laying emphasis on their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects on the epithelial cell. We describe in detail the humoral and cellular mediators involved, as well as the interactions between these antibiotics and circulating inflammatory mediators (including processes of apoptosis and oxidation), along with the effects on epithelial defenses, actions on mucus, movement of ions, defensins, mucociliary clearance, and epithelial stabilization. Because of these mechanisms, macrolides have become an adjuvant in the management of infectious and inflammatory lung diseases.