Inhibitory Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Profibrotic Factors in Dermal Fibroblasts.

Objective: Dermal fibroproliferative disorders impair patients' quality of life. Although several therapeutic approaches exist for treatment of dermal scars, the development of effective ointments with few adverse effects could improve these therapeutic methods. Short-chain and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are reported to be immunomodulators with anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antifibrogenic effects of these fatty acids in human dermal fibroblasts. Methods: Cells were incubated with short-chain fatty acids (butyrate or propionate; 0-16 mM) and/or ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid; 0-100 µM) for 24 hours to evaluate antifibrogenic effects and for 3 or 48 hours to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or without stimulation. Expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, collagen III, and IL-6 were evaluated, as were cell proliferation, stress fiber formation, and histone acetylation. Results: In the lipopolysaccharide-unstimulated group, butyrate inhibited mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen III more effectively than propionate and increased histone acetylation. Docosahexaenoic acid inhibited mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen III, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid did not. Combining butyrate with docosahexaenoic acid had stronger effects, downregulating α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, and collagen III mRNA. As for cell proliferation and stress fiber formation, butyrate acted as a stronger inhibitor than docosahexaenoic acid and the combined administration had stronger effects. In the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated group, butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid attenuated IL-6 mRNA upregulation by lipopolysaccharide. Conclusion: Butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid may be a novel therapeutic approach to treatment of dermal fibroproliferative disorders.

Combination therapy with butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid for keloid fibrogenesis: an in vitro study.

BACKGROUND:: A single, effective therapeutic regimen for keloids has not been established yet, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches is expected. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, play multiple anti-inflammatory and anticancer roles via their respective mechanisms of action. OBJECTIVE:: In this study, we evaluated the antifibrogenic effects of their single and combined use on keloid fibroblasts. METHODS:: Keloid fibroblasts were treated with butyrate (0-16 mM) and/or DHA (0-100 µM) for 48 or 96 h. RESULTS:: Butyrate inhibited cell proliferation, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type III collagen expressions, with inhibition of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 and TGF-ß type I receptor expressions and increased prostaglandin E2 with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-1 expression with induction of histone acetylation. DHA inhibited α-SMA, type III collagen, and TGF-ß type I receptor expressions. Then, the butyrate/DHA combination augmented the antifibrogenic effects, resulting in additional inhibition of α-SMA, type I and III collagen expressions, with strong disruption of stress fiber and apoptosis induction. Moreover, the butyrate/DHA combination inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 expression, suggesting stronger anti-inflammatory effect than each monotherapy. STUDY LIMITATIONS:: Activation in keloid tissue is affected not only by fibroblasts but also by epithelial cells and immune cells. Evaluation of the effects by butyrate and DHA in these cells or in an in vivo study is required. CONCLUSION:: This study demonstrated that butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid have antifibrogenic effects on keloid fibroblasts and that these may exert therapeutic effects for keloid.

Combination therapy with butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid for keloid fibrogenesis: an in vitro study

Abstract: Background: A single, effective therapeutic regimen for keloids has not been established yet, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches is expected. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, play multiple anti-inflammatory and anticancer roles via their respective mechanisms of action. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the antifibrogenic effects of their single and combined use on keloid fibroblasts. Methods: Keloid fibroblasts were treated with butyrate (0-16 mM) and/or DHA (0-100 µM) for 48 or 96 h. Results: Butyrate inhibited cell proliferation, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type III collagen expressions, with inhibition of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β type I receptor expressions and increased prostaglandin E2 with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-1 expression with induction of histone acetylation. DHA inhibited α-SMA, type III collagen, and TGF-β type I receptor expressions. Then, the butyrate/DHA combination augmented the antifibrogenic effects, resulting in additional inhibition of α-SMA, type I and III collagen expressions, with strong disruption of stress fiber and apoptosis induction. Moreover, the butyrate/DHA combination inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 expression, suggesting stronger anti-inflammatory effect than each monotherapy. Study limitations: Activation in keloid tissue is affected not only by fibroblasts but also by epithelial cells and immune cells. Evaluation of the effects by butyrate and DHA in these cells or in an in vivo study is required. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid have antifibrogenic effects on keloid fibroblasts and that these may exert therapeutic effects for keloid.

Familial Mediterranean fever with onset at 66 years of age.

The patient was a 68-year-old woman who had experienced recurrent febrile episodes since 66 years of age. Despite various examinations and treatments, the etiology remained unclear. Further examinations following another referral failed to uncover the cause. Therefore, despite her age, it was presumed that she had familial Mediterranean fever. An analysis of the familial Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene detected heterozygous L110P, E148Q, and R202Q mutations. No further febrile episodes occurred after colchicine treatment was initiated. Familial Mediterranean fever presenting in patients in their sixties is extremely rare.

Effect of ultrasound irradiation on α-SMA and TGF-ß1 expression in human dermal fibroblasts.

Ultrasound therapy is used to promote pressure ulcer healing as an adjunctive therapy. However, the efficacy and the scientific basis of this treatment are unclear. We investigated the effect of ultrasound irradiation on alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-ß1) expression in human dermal fibroblasts. These are important factors for acceleration of wound closure. We used pulsed ultrasound of 0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 W/cm2. TGF-ß1 and α-SMA mRNA was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, α-SMA protein was examined by western blot, and localization of α-SMA was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-ß1 mRNA was increased at 24 h but not at 48 h after ultrasound irradiation. There were significant differences between controls of 0 W/cm² and 0.1 W/cm² with a 1.34 ± 0.26 fold increase in α-SMA (P < 0.05) and a 1.78 ± 0.57 fold increase in TGF-ß1 (P < 0.05). Protein levels of α-SMA were also increased and detected in ultrasound irradiated fibroblasts at 24 h. Ultrasound irradiation promotes α-SMA expression in human dermal fibroblasts and this suggests the biological mechanism of ultrasound efficacy on chronic wound treatment.