OBJECTIVETo explore the biological effects of tetracycline on cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPDLFs).

METHODSIncreasing concentrations of tetracycline (1, 5, 20, 100, 500, 2500 microg/ml) were added to the medium of cultured HPDLFs, respectively. After co-incubated for 2 days, cell morphology was observed under reverse microscope, meanwhile, cell proliferation activity was assayed using MTT, the total amount of protein was detected with Coumassie Bright Blue method and DNA synthesis was measured by 3H-TdR.

RESULTSOver a concentration range of 1 to 100 microg/ml, cells demonstrated a normal appearance, spindle or fusiform shaped. Moreover, at a concentration range of 20 to 100 microg/ml, tetracycline significantly enhanced the proliferating activity and biosynthesis of HPDLFs (P < 0.01). However, higher concentration (2500 microg/ml) not only changed cell morphology, but also significantly inhibited cellular activity.

CONCLUSIONThe results suggested that proper doses of tetracycline could promote proliferation and biosynthesis of HPDLFs while higher concentrations of tetracycline had cytotoxic effect.

Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Humans ; Periodontal Ligament ; cytology ; drug effects ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology

The human fibroblast MRC-5 cells incubated with PHB granules (TM) added at a final concentration of 4 mg/ml showed a time-course pattern of survival. The percentages of dead cells obtained were at the rate of 3.8% after 7 days, respectively. When the MRC-5 cells grown in different material, using the test concentration of 4 mg/ml PCM, they were found to show a similar time-course increasing pattern of death as that obtained with PHB. However, the death was noted in the cells incubated for 7 days, the death rates obtained was 40.54% respectively.
Cell Line ; Cell Survival/*drug effects ; Fibroblasts/drug effects ; Hydroxybutyrates/*toxicity ; *Materials Testing ; Polymers/*toxicity

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of Typhonium gigantewm Engl. (AEoTGE) on the proliferation and apoptosis of KFB in vitro and to survey the death rate.

METHODSSamples of hypertrophic scars were collected and cultured. Only 4-8 passage cells were selected for experiment. Inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the morphogenesis and ultrastructure of KFB. The KFB cells were treated with AEoTGE in different concentrations(3. 125,6.250, 12.500, 25.000, 50. 000,100.000 g/L) for 24 hours. The effect of AEoTGE on the proliferation and the IC50 of KFB was observed with MTT assay and EdU. The effect of AEoTGE on apoptosis of KFB was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIt showed that AEoTGE could inhibit the proliferation of KFB in an concentration-dependent style within the range of 3. 125-100.000 g/L. The AEoTGE could obviously increase the apoptosis rate of the KFB compared with blank control group(P <0.05). The IC50 of AEoTGE was 35 g/L. FITC-Annexin V/PI showed that apoptosis rate of KFB in the AEoTGE group was (72. 07 +/- 0. 70)% , while it was 23. 5% in blank control group (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSAEoTGE could significantly inhibit the proliferating activity and induce apoptosis of KFB after co-culture for 24 hours. The IC50 is 35 g/L and the rate of apoptosis is (72.07 +/- 0.70)%.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Keloid

This study was aimed to investigate whether the thrombopoietin (rhTPO) may facilitate myelofibrosis or not. The modified Dexter culture system with various concentrations of rhTPO was used to culture the stromal cells in vitro; the proliferative activity of cells was detected by MTT method; the morphologic changes were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy; the staining changes of ALP, PAS, AS-D NCE and IV type collagen were observed by cytochemistry method; the changes of fibronectin, laminin and IV type collagen were assayed by immunohistochemistry method; the cell surface antigens were assayed by flow cytometry. The results indicated that rhTPO could promote the proliferation of stromal cells which was related to the concentrations of rhTPO. Proliferative activity of stromal cells increased with increasing of rhTPO concentration, and was not related to the exposure time. On day 3 stromal cells adhered to the wall, and became oval. On day 7 stromal cells turned to fusiform and scattered dispersively. On day 12 to 14 these cells ranged cyclically and became long fusiform. Cells covered 70%-80% area of bottle bottom at that time. By day 16 to 18 these cells covered more than 90% area of bottom and ranged cyclically. They displayed the same shape as fibroblasts. By light microscopy with Wrights-Giemsa staining, fibroblasts predominated morphologically, few macrophages, endothelial cells and adipose cells were found. There were no significant differences between experimental group and control group. On day 14 to 42 the adherent cells were positive with PAS staining, poorly positive with ALP and naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase (AS-D NCE) staining, and the difference in cytochemistry was not significant between two groups. When these cells were dyed with Masson's trichrome and Gomori's staining, neither collagen fibers nor reticular fibers were positive, but fibronectin, laminin, and collagen type IV appeared positive stronger in experimental group than those in control. The expressions of these molecules were not dependent on culture time. By scanning electron microscopy microvilli and fibers on cell surface appeared more and more, monolayer cells evolved into multilayer cells, and newly-formed fibroblasts appeared gradually as culture time prolonged. These alterations were not different among various groups. The expressions of CD34, CD45, CD105, CD106, and CD166 were not affected obviously by rhTPO. It is concluded that rhTPO had no effects on histochemical properties of stromal cells. Fiber staining and scanning electron microscopic examinations revealed that rhTPO can not facilitate fiber formation of stromal cells. But rhTPO may be able to augment the expressions of fibronectin, laminin and collagen type IV of stromal cells. Therefore it is still necessary to follow up the patients for a long time, who have received rhTPO therapy clinically.
Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Thrombopoietin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of different concentrations of putrescine on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human skin fibroblasts (HSF).

METHODSHSF cultured in the presence of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, 10, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 µg/ putrescine for 24 h were examined for the changes in the cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis using MTS assay, Transwell migration assay, and flow cytometry, respectively.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, HSF cultured with 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10 µg/ putrescine showed significantly increased cell proliferation (P<0.01), and the effect was the most obvious with 1 µg/ putrescine, whereas 500 and 1000 µg/ putrescine significantly reduced the cell proliferation (P<0.01); 50 and 100 µg/ did not obviously affect the cell proliferation (P>0.05). Putrescine at 1 µg/ most significantly enhanced the cell migration (P<0.01), while at higher doses (50, 100, 500, and 1000 µg/) putrescine significantly suppressed the cell migration (P<0.05); 0.5, 5.0, and 10 µg/ putrescine produced no obvious effects on the cell migration (P>0.05). HSF treated with 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10 µg/ putrescine obvious lowered the cell apoptosis rate compared with the control group (P<0.01), and the cell apoptosis rate was the lowest in cells treated with 1 µg/ putrescine; but at the concentrations of 100, 500, and 1000 µg/, putrescine significantly increased the cell apoptosis rate (P<0.01), while 50 µg/ml putrescine produced no obvious effect on cell apoptosis (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONLow concentrations of putrescine can obviously enhance the proliferation ability and maintain normal migration ability of HSF in vitro, but at high concentrations, putrescine can obviously inhibit the cell migration and proliferation and induce cells apoptosis, suggesting the different roles of different concentrations of putrescine in wound healing.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Putrescine ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Skin ; cytology ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of sinomenine (SIN) and methotrexate (MTX) on the proliferation and apoptosis of in vitro cultured fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, as well as the expression of osteoclast differentiation factor in FLS.

METHODSFLS were isolated from the synovium of RA patients and cultured in vitro. FLS were incubated with different concentrations of SIN and MTX respectively or combined: 0.001, 0.010, 0.100, 1.000 mg/mL SIN; 0.001, 0.010, 0.100, 1.000 mg/mL MTX; 0.001 mg/mL SIN + 0.001 mg/mL MTX, 0.010 mg/mL SIN + 0.010 mg/mL MTX, 0.100 mg/mL SIN + 0.100 mg/mL MTX, 1.000 mg/mL SIN + 1.000 mg/mL MTX, namely SIN1, 2, 3, 4 groups; MTX1, 2, 3, 4 groups and the combination 1, 2, 3, 4 groups. The medium without drugs was used as a control group. There was a total of 13 groups, each group with 3 complex holes. MTT was applied to detect the growth of FLS. The flow cytometry was applied to detect the apoptosis of FLS. The expressions of FLS receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) mRNA and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA were observed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, RA FLS proliferation OD values of all the drug groups were lower (P < 0.05). The RA FLS apoptosis OD value of the combination 3 group increased, the OPG mRNA expression increased, the expression of RANKL mRNA decreased with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The RA proliferation OD values of the SIN3 group and the MTX3 group increased when compared with the combination 3 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSIN and MTX had synergistic effects in inhibiting FLS. This might be one of the mechanisms for inhibiting RA bone damage.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; pathology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; pharmacology ; Morphinans ; pharmacology ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of oleic acid on the proliferation and secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators of human normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts.

METHODSHuman normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and respectively divided into seven groups according to the random number table, with 8 samples in each group. Cells in blank control (BC) group were routinely cultured without addition of other agents. Cells in ethanol-control (EC) group were cultured with medium with the addition of 2% absolute ethanol. Cells in oleic acid groups were cultured with the addition of oleic acid in concentration of 0.25, 0.50, 1.00, 2.00, or 4.00 mmol/L in 2% absolute ethanol. The growth of cells in each group was observed with trypan blue staining on post culture day (PCD) 1-5. On PCD 2, structure of cells in BC, EC, and 1.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups was observed under inverted phase contrast microscope and transmission electron microscope; cell cycle of BC, EC, and 1.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups was measured by flow cytometer; cell proliferation activity in each group was measured by MTT assay; the level of NO in supernatant was assayed by Griess assay; the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in supernatants in each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were processed with multifactor and repeated measurement design analysis of variance.

RESULTS(1) There was no significant difference in each index of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts between BC group and EC group. (2) The numbers of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in 2.00 and 4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were significantly lower than those in corresponding BC and EC groups on PCD 2-5 (with F values respectively 13.773 and 11.344, P values all below 0.01). (3) On PCD 2, the numbers of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in 1.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups decreased, and the cells were aggregating, rounding, and easy to drop off. Cellular membrane disruption, vacuolar degeneration of mitochondrion, pyknosis, and lipid droplets were observed. (4) The percentages of G0/G1 and G2/M phases of normal fibroblasts in 1.00 mmol/L oleic acid group [(93.56 ± 9.98)%, (2.01 ± 0.75)%] were significantly higher than those in BC group [(84.23 ± 10.96)%, (0.37 ± 0.16)%, with F values respectively 3.026, 34.751, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01], while the percentage of normal fibroblasts in S phase [(4.42 ± 0.87)%] was markedly lower than that in BC group [(16.06 ± 1.74)%, F = 136.120, P < 0.01]. The percentages of scar fibroblasts of G0/G1 and G2/M phases in 1.00 mmol/L oleic acid group [(93.86 ± 13.90)%, (1.89 ± 0.66)%] were significantly higher than those in BC group [(83.88 ± 10.42)%, (0.41 ± 0.17)%, with F values respectively 3.529, 32.710, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01], and the percentage of scar fibroblasts in S phase [(3.87 ± 0.63)%] was markedly lower than that in BC group [(15.89 ± 2.02)%, F = 116.508, P < 0.01]. (5) The proliferation rates of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in 0.50-4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were significantly lower than those in corresponding BC and EC groups (with F values respectively 215.945 and 194.555, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). (6) The content of NO in supernatant of normal fibroblasts in all oleic acid groups was obviously higher than that in BC and EC groups (F = 30.240, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of NO in supernatants of scar fibroblasts in 1.00-4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were significantly higher than that in BC and EC groups (F = 12.495, P < 0.01). The contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in supernatants of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in 2.00 and 4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were obviously higher than those in corresponding BC and EC groups (with F(TNF-α) values respectively 6.911, 3.818, F(IL-6) values respectively 16.939, 11.600,P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-1β in supernatants of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in groups of every concentration of oleic acid were significantly higher than those in corresponding BC and EC groups (with F values respectively 25.117, 9.137, P values all below 0.01). The contents of IL-8 in supernatants of normal fibroblasts in 1.00-4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were markedly higher than those in BC and EC groups (F = 2.717, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The contents of IL-8 in supernatants of scar fibroblasts in 2.00 and 4.00 mmol/L oleic acid groups were significantly higher than those in BC and EC groups (F = 3.338, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in above indexes between normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts in the same concentration of oleic acid group (with F values from 0.120 to 3.766, P values all above 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAlthough oleic acid in high concentration inhibits the proliferation of scar fibroblasts, it also inhibits the proliferation of normal fibroblasts. Oleic acid in high concentration can cause excessive and continued inflammatory reaction by promoting the secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators of normal fibroblasts and scar fibroblasts, and they are detrimental to wound healing.

Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cicatrix ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; secretion ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; metabolism ; Oleic Acid ; pharmacology

BACKGROUNDThe possible role of substance P (SP) during wound healing has been the primary research focus in recent years, but its effect on the healing process after bile duct injury is little understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of SP on growth of fibroblast-like cells derived from rabbit bile duct.

METHODSFibroblast-like cells derived from rabbit bile duct were identified and divided randomly into control and experimental groups. SP-treated cells at different concentrations of 10(-9)-10(-5) mol/L and control group were incubated, respectively, for 48 hours. After incubating, the effects of SP on cell proliferation were assessed by cell counts and MTT test. Apoptosis rate (AR) of cells was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTSCultured rabbit bile duct cells were fibroblast-like in morphology, and these cells were stained positively for vimentin and negatively for desmin. After SP was added to nonconfluent cells for 48 hours, cell numbers were significantly increased in experimental groups than in controls (P < 0.05). The maximum stimulation of cell proliferation was achieved at SP of 10(-5) mol/L. Bile duct fibroblast-like cells in the SP group showed a higher proliferating activity and lower AR than those in the control group or in the SP + Spantide group (P < 0.05). Spantide partly inhibited the effects of SP on fibroblast-like cells. Examination under transmission electron microscopy revealed rough endoplasmic reticulum and prominent Golgi complexes after SP treatment.

CONCLUSIONSSP has a growth regulatory property on cultivated bile duct fibroblast-like cells in vitro, suggesting that SP may involve in wound healing after bile duct injury by promoting wound fibroblast proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis and participate in pathological scar formation.

Animals ; Bile Ducts ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Male ; Rabbits ; Substance P ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo establish the 3T3 mouse fibroblast neutral red uptake (NRU-PT) phototoxicity test method, and evaluate the practicality of the method in detecting potential phototoxicity of the cosmetic products.

METHODSFifteen phototoxic and 9 non-phototoxic chemicals were tested in our laboratories, the phototoxic potential of the test chemicals was evaluated in a prediction model in which either the photo irritation factor (PIF) or the mean photo effect (MPE) was compared with the coherence and sensitivity of the method. 20 kinds of functional cosmetics were detected and the results were analyzed by the 3T3 NRU-PT in vitro and Guinea pig skin phototoxicity test (in vivo).

RESULTSBoth PIF and MPE of the chemicals were highly reproduced, and the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data was almost perfect. All the non-phototoxic provided a negative result, while 14 of the 15 phototoxic tested chemicals gave clear positive results. For cosmetics, the correlation between in vitro and in vivo data was consistent.

CONCLUSIONThe 3T3 NRU PT test was established successfully, it should be used as a good alternative method for assessing the phototoxic potential of the chemicals and cosmetics in China.

3T3 Cells ; drug effects ; Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Cosmetics ; toxicity ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; Guinea Pigs ; Mice ; Toxicity Tests

The wound healing time, tension of wound edge, proliferation of fibroblast, and extracellular matrix deposition are the important factors of scar formation, and botulinum toxin type A can regulate the above. Prevention and treatment of scar with botulinum toxin type A is one of the hot topics of clinical research in recent years. This paper briefly reviews researches by scholars at home and abroad on the mechanism, clinical application, complications, and adverse effects of botulinum toxin type A in scar prevention and treatment.
Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use* ; Cicatrix/prevention & control* ; Extracellular Matrix/pathology* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Humans ; Wound Healing/drug effects*