Effects of botulinum toxin a on cytokine synthesis in a cell culture model of cutaneous scarring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate possible botulinum toxin A effects in a cell culture model. METHODS: In a cell culture model with dermal fibroblasts and microvascular endothelial cells, possible botulinum toxin A effects were evaluated. Cell proliferation and cytokine expression were analyzed using viability assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. RESULTS: Neither cell proliferation nor cytokines and growth factors (interleukin 6, monocyte chemoattractant protein 2, fibroblast growth factor, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor) were affected by botulinum toxin A incubation. CONCLUSIONS: The present data do not add evidence to suggest a significant therapeutic role of botulinum toxin A injections for cutaneous wound healing beyond chemoimmobilization. Further studies that include patient-specific cells of hypertrophic scars are required to better understand what role botulinum toxin A can play in the treatment of mature scar tissue.