The natural organosulfur compound dipropyltetrasulfide prevents HOCl-induced Systemic sclerosis in the mouse

摘要

The aim of this study was to test the naturally occurring organosulfur compound dipropyltetrasulfide (DPTTS) found in plants, which has antibiotic and anti-cancer properties, as a treatment of HOCl-induced systemic sclerosis in the mouse. Methods The pro-oxidative, anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effects of DPTTS were evaluated ex vivo on fibroblasts from normal and HOCl-mice. In vivo, the anti-fibrotic and immunomodulating properties of DPTTS were evaluated in the skin and lungs of HOCl-mice.Results H_2O_2 production was higher in fibroblasts derived from HOCl-mice than in normal fibroblasts (P < 0.05). DPTTS did not increase H_2O_2 production in normal fibroblasts, but DPTTS dose-dependently increased H_2O_2 production in HOCl-fibroblasts (P < 0.001 with 40uM DPTTS). Because H_2O_2 reached a lethal threshold in cells from HOCl-mice, the anti-proliferative, cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of DPTTS were significantly higher in HOCl-fibroblasts than for normal fibroblasts.