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Anthralin stimulates keratinocyte-derived proinflammatory cytokines via generation of reactive oxygen species.

Lange RW; Hayden PJ; Chignell CF; Luster MI

Inflamm Res 1998 Apr; 47(4):174-181

https://doi.org/10.1007/s000110050313

20025466

Topical application of anthralin, used in the treatment of psoriasis, is often accompanied by severe skin inflammation, presumably due to free radical products of the drug. The role of inflammatory cytokines and their induction by anthralin-derived reactive oxygen species were studied in cultures of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). Anthralin was added to cultures of NHKs in the presence or absence of various antioxidants, including superoxide dismutase, tetramethylthiourea, N-acetylcysteine and vitamin E and relative changes in cytokine secretion and in the number of mRNA transcripts were examined. In addition, NHKs were either treated with neutralizing antibodies to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or transfected with a CAT-linked IL-8 promoter to establish the direct effects of anthralin on chemokine synthesis. Anthralin, at concentrations between 5 microM and 25 microM, caused a marked increase in granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and TNFalpha synthesis that was selectively inhibited by specific antioxidants. Furthermore, anthralin induced chemokine secretion without the need of primary cytokines. Taken together, these studies suggest that oxygen radicals generated from anthralin are responsible for the induction of inflammatory cytokines which, in turn contributes to their dermal toxicity.

Skin-disorders; Skin-infections; Skin-irritants; Drugs; Antioxidants; Antioxidation; Author Keywords: Anthralin; Inflammation; Chemokines; Keratinocyte

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, RIDC Park, 260 Kappa Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15238, USA

INREFB

19980401

Journal Article

lange+@pitt.edu

1998

4

1023-3830

HELD

Inflammation Research

WV; PA; MD; NC