[Effect of asiaticoside on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta mRNA and matrix metalloproteinases in hypertrophic scars].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of asiaticoside on the expressions of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta mRNA, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in postburn hypertrophic scars.


METHODS
Nine specimens of postburn (5-8 months) hypertrophic scars with asiaticoside treatment and 9 without asiaticoside treatment were collected for testing the expressions of MMPS, TIMPs, type I and III collagen and TGF-beta mRNA by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization methods, followed by image analysis of the results.


RESULTS
The expressions of TGF-beta mRNA and MMPS/TIMPS were all detected in the fibroblast cytoplasm. The expression of TGF-beta(1) mRNA in asiaticoside-treated scars was significantly lower than that in scars without asiaticoside treatment (P<0.01). In contrast, the expression of TGF-beta(3) mRNA was significantly higher in asiaticoside group (P<0.05). The expression of TIMP1 in asiaticoside group was significantly lower than that in non-asiaticoside group (P<0.01), and the expression of type I collagen in asiaticoside-treated scars was lower than that in non-asiaticoside-treated specimens (P<0.05), but the expression of MMP(1), MMP(2) and TIMP(2) and type III collagen exhibited no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Asiaticoside can down-regulate TGF-beta(1) mRNA and TIMP(1) expressions and up-regulate TGF-beta(3) mRNA expression in postburn hypertrophic scars, and is also capable of decomposing the products of type I collagen, contributing to the reduction of hypertrophic scar formation.
Department of Burns, Guangzhou First Municipal People's Hospital, Guangzhou 510180, China. zhangtao209@yahoo.com.cn
Tao
T
Zhang
Xin-zhou
XZ
Rong
Rong-hua
RH
Yang
Tian-zeng
TZ
Li
Ying-bin
YB
Xu
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D024042:Collagen Type I; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019715:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014315:Triterpenes; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; C004446:asiaticoside