Testosterone stimulates proliferation and inhibits interleukin‐6 production of normal and hereditary gingival fibromatosis fibroblasts

    May 2002 in “ Oral Microbiology and Immunology ”
    Ricardo D. Coletta, Mark A. Reynolds, Hercílio Martelli‐Júnior, Edgard Graner, Oslei Paes de Almeida, John J. Sauk
    TLDR Testosterone increases cell growth and reduces IL-6 in gum cells.
    The study investigated the effects of dihydrotestosterone on gingival fibroblasts from patients with hereditary gingival fibromatosis (HGF) and healthy individuals. It found that dihydrotestosterone increased cell proliferation and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in both normal and HGF fibroblasts. The presence of androgen receptors was confirmed in both types of fibroblasts, with higher levels in normal gingiva. Anti-androgens like finasteride and cyprosterone acetate partially reversed the effects of dihydrotestosterone. The study concluded that testosterone played a role in regulating fibroblast proliferation and IL-6 production.
    Discuss this study in the Community →