Effect of Actovegin® Versus Cortisone on PMA‐Induced Inflammation on Human Cells

Author(s): Franz-Xaver Reichl, Christof Ho?gg, Fangfang Liu, Markus Schwarz, Daniel Teupser, Reinhard Hickel, Wilhelm Bloch, Helmut Schweikl, Peter Thomas, Burkhard Summer

Purpose: The effect of Actovegin® versus Cortisone was investigated on PMA induced human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs).

Methods: PBMCs (1 × 10 cells/ml) from ten blood donors (5 f, 5 m; 45–55 years) were grown in medium and exposed to Actovegin® or Cortisone in the presence or absence of PMA. Supernatants were collected to assess the concentration of cytokines/substances: IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1 beta, and IL-10. The Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) were assessed by a ROSGloTM H2O2 assay.

Results: Stimulation of cells with PMA (1 μg/ml) (without Actovegin® or Cortisone) significantly (p<0.05) increased the secretions of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-1 beta, and IL-10 from PBMCs, compared to controls (without PMA). Addition of Actovegin® (20 μg/ml) or Cortisone (0.7 and 7 μg/ ml) plus PMA significantly decreased the secretion of TNF-α, compared to controls (without Actovegin® or Cortisone). Addition of Actovegin® (1 and 20 μg/ml) plus PMA significantly decreased the secretion of IL- 8, compared to controls (without Actovegin®). However, addition of Cortisone (0.7 and 7 μg/ml) plus PMA did not influence the secretion of IL-8, compared to controls (without Cortisone). Addition of Actovegin® (20 μg/ml) plus PMA significantly decreased the secretion of IL-1Beta, compared to controls (without Actovegin®). Addition of Cortisone (0.7 μg/ml) plus PMA increased the secretion of IL-1Beta, compared to controls (without Cortisone). Addition of Actovegin® (20 μg/ml) plus PMA significantly increased the secretion of IL-10, compared to controls (without Actovegin). However, addition of Cortisone (0.7 and 7 μg/ml) plus PMA did not influence the secretion of IL-10, compared to controls (without Cortisone). Addition of Actovegin®