The effect of vitamin e on basic fibroblast growth factor level in human fibroblast cell culture

• Main Author: Shaw Altul Akbma, Harun Nor Rashid
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2007
• Subjects: R Medicine (General)
• Online Access: http://eprints.usm.my/48750/1/DR.%20SHAW%20ALTUL%20AKBMA%20BT%20HARUN%20NOR%20RASHID%20-%2024%20pages.pdf; http://eprints.usm.my/48750/
• Institution: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Cosmetic products that contain vitamin E have not been proven effective in the treatment of scars. Since vitamin E is a major lipid soluble antioxidant in skin, it has been thought that it can speed healing and improve the cosmetic outcome of wounds. Tocotrienol is a class of vitamin E analogs. Although the absorption mechanisms are essentially the same for all vitamin E analogs, tocotrienols are degraded to a greater extent than tocopherols. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is angiogenic and effective in down-regulating excess collagen production suggesting a potential role in collagen remodeling during wound healing. It is possible to alter the growth factor profile of a wound either by adding or by blocking the actions of growth factors. Aberrant wound healing may arise from a local overproduction or insufficiency of certain growth factors. Hence we may be able to manipulate the process of wound healing. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) in altering the level of basic fibroblast growth factor in human fibroblasts. We also undertake to determine the difference of bFGF level production according to time and various concentration ofTRF in this study. In this in vitro model, normal human fibroblasts were propagated in one percent bovine serum and treated with 0, 30, 60, 100, 120, 180, 200 and 240Ilg/ml Tocotrienol Rich Fraction for 3,24,48 and 72 hours. Cells were used from 5th to 8th passage and seeded on 24-well plate trays at a concentration of 6 x 104 cells permilliliter. Levels of bFGF in the supernatants were detennined by Enzyme ... Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). This study has demonstrated that TRF stimulated bFGF production by fibroblast. The maximum effect was evident in the first 24 hours of culture. Cells treated with higher concentrations of TRF produced higher levels of bFGF but the rise of bFGF level between the different concentrations of TRF was not statistically significant. However, the viability of fibroblasts was reduced when higber concentrations ofTRF were used. In conclusion, bFGF production by fibroblasts can be stimulated by different concentrations of TRF. The effect of TRF on cell viability is dose-dependent; higher concentration can induce cell death. Methods that increase bFGF may decrease aberrant scar fonnation by inhibiting excess collagen deposition as well as by increasing collagen degradation.