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 was found that dihydrotestosterone increased cell proliferation and decreased interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in both normal and HGF fibroblasts. The study involved 4 patients with HGF and 4 healthy individuals. Anti-androgens like finasteride and cyprosterone acetate partially reversed these effects. Androgen receptor mRNA was present in both types of fibroblasts, with higher levels in normal gingival fibroblasts compared to HGF fibroblasts. The findings suggested that testosterone played a role in regulating fibroblast proliferation and IL-6 production.
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