|  | Conditions Treatments | Bones, Joints Muscles

Drugs That Block Fibrocytes

Fibrosis is a term which describes the formation of excess fibrous connective tissue, or scar tissue, on an organ or the surface of the skin. Fibrosis can occur at sites on a person's body which have been treated with or exposed to radiation. It can also occur on organs or joints as part of other medical conditions such as pulmonary fibrosis or cystic fibrosis or even fibromyalgia which affect the lungs, digestive system and musculoskeletal system. Fibrocytes are fibrosis causing cells but research is showing drugs that might stop their formation.

  1. Fibrocytes

    • A fibrocyte is the medical term for a cell that produces fibrous tissue. Fibrous tissue is scar tissue. As such it is soft, tender and less resistant to infection than normal skin. When fibrous tissue forms on organs it can hinder their ability to function, thus causing a decline in lung, intestine or other organ performance. When fibrous tissue forms on joints, it can cause joint pain and hinder healing. Fibrocytes often form after injury to a body part, organ or joint.

    Leukotriene Blockers

    • Drugs that block leukotrienes may be beneficial in blocking the formation of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts form from clusters of fibrocytes and are the building blocks of scar tissue in dangerous, unwanted places. Zileuton, zafirlukast and montelukast are generic drugs that block leukotrienes and may therefore also be effective in blocking fibrocytes.

    Prostaglandin

    • For the same reason that leukotriene-blocking drugs may be effective in stopping the spread of fibrosis, prostaglandins may also block the formation of scar tissue on lungs, joints and within the digestive system. Prostaglandins are synthesized in every body cell and stop the formation of fibrocytes and scar tissue when the body is functioning normally. When the body doesn't send prostaglandins, fibrocytes continue to build. Prostaglandins can be synthesized in a lab from arachidonic acid and used as a fibrocyte blocker.

    Rapamycin

    • Ongoing studies involving a drug called rapamycin are showing that it may be effective in blocking the formation of fibrocytes. Studies have been performed particularly on pulmonary fibrocytes and have show rapamycin to be effective in suppressing the growth of CXCR4 and CXCL12 fibrocyte formation.

Bones, Joints Muscles - Related Articles