Butylated hydroxyanisole blocks the inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor-α on collagen production in human dermal fibroblasts

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) has been demonstrated to selectively decrease the production of type I and type III collagens in human dermal fibroblasts. The effects of the commonly used food antioxidants, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), α-tocopherol, propyl gallate, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase on TNF-α-induced growth enhancement and collagen metabolism were evaluated in the present study. BHA at concentrations of both 5 × 10 −5 M and 10 −4 M inhibited cell proliferation and DNA synthesis induced by 10 ng/ml TNF-α in human dermal fibroblasts, while other antioxidants had minimal effects. Further, BHA (5 × 10 −5 M and 10 −4 M) significantly blocked TNF-α-induced decreases in collagen synthesis. These results suggest that antioxidants such as BHA may be involved in the modulation of collagen synthesis by TNF-α in human dermal fibroblasts.