In vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Hyaluronic Acid in Ethanol-Induced Damage in Skin Cells

Ethyl alcohol (ethanol) is commonly applied in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations, as well as disinfectant for chronic wounds. Objective: The present study aimed to appraise physiological levels of ethanol-induced damage in skin cells in vitro and the possible repair by hyaluronic acid (HA). In addition, we aimed to establish cytokine-chemokine networks in the cellular media and the modulation of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), interleukins (IL) such as IL1-beta and IL-6, as well as matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP). Design and Methods: We treated human A431 epidermoid skin cells and mouse fibroblasts with ethanol at a concentration of 100 mM over 24 hours (h). A separate experiment looked at the effects of 2 consecutive treatments with 100 mM ethanol for 24 h each. HA obtained from umbilical cord excision was used at two concentration levels (2% and 4%) to determine its efficacy in the treatment. We measured cytotoxicity and cytokine networks in the media. Results: Treatment of cells with 100 mM ethanol increased cytotoxicity, as well as the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines into the culture medium. Conclusions: Ethanol may induce cytotoxicity in skin cells by enhancing the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. HA reduced the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines released into the media both in human A431 epidermoid skin cells and in mouse fibroblasts.