Effect of pentoxifylline on sunburn cell formation in a novel supravital human skin model.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine whether pentoxifylline (Pf) has an effect on sunburn cell (SBC) formation in humans.


METHODS
A novel supravital human skin model was used. Normal skin samples were placed on gauze in completed RPMI 1640 Medium and remained vital for 48 h. Three concentrations of Pf (7.5, 15.0 and 30.0 microg/ml) were tested. After 2 h, each skin sample was irradiated with 120 mJ/cm2 of UVB. After 24-h incubation, the samples were formalin fixed, paraffin embedded and sections were stained with haematoxylin-eosin.


RESULTS
The mean count of SBC (10.43 +/- 1.35 (SEM)) was significantly higher in the control group (without Pf) compared with its mean count in 7.5 microg/ml Pf (5.18 +/- 0.62, P < 0.001), or 15.0 microg/ml Pf (5.79 +/- 1.70, P < 0.001), or 30.0 microg/ml Pf (4.37 +/- 1.47, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Pentoxifylline reduced SBC formation in our supravital human skin model. It presumably acts as an antioxidant agent.
Simics
E
E
Department of Dermatology, Medical and Health Science Center, University of Debrecen, Hungary.
Mahunka
M
M
Horkay
I
I
Bohnert
E
E
Moll
I
I
Jung
E G
EG
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013471:Sunburn / Q000473:pathology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000975:Antioxidants; D010431:Pentoxifylline