Reactive oxygen species and rosacea.

Although the fundamental pathogenesis of rosacea remains unknown, inflammation is a central process in this disorder. Recent evidence suggests that this inflammation is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are released by inflammatory cells such as neutrophils. In vitro studies suggest that certain core therapies for rosacea, including metronidazole and the tetracyclines, show antioxidant effects, and this may be one aspect of their mechanism of action.