Ethanol is commonly used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations.
Objective: The present study aimed to assess ethanol-induced apoptosis and the possible repair by hyaluronic acid (HA) in vitro. In addition we aimed to determine the modulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and interferon (IFN-alpha).
Design and methods: We treated human A431 epidermoid skin cells and mouse fibroblasts with two concentrations of ethanol for 24h. HA obtained from umbilical cord excision was used at three concentration levels (2%, 4% and 8%) to determine its efficacy in the treatment. We measured cytotoxicity, TNF-alpha and IFN-alpha and visualized the cultures by electron microscopy.
Results: Treatment of cells with ethanol at 50mM and 100mM increased both the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis, as well as the release of TNF-alpha into the culture medium.
Conclusions: Ethanol may induce apoptosis in skin cells by enhancing the effects of TNF-alpha. HA in the 2% and 4% concentrations reduced TNF-alpha and morphological inflammation both in human A431 epidermoid skin cells and in mouse fibroblasts.
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