Effect of triclosan on interleukin-1β production in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with tumor necrosis factor α

The effect of the dentifrice ingredient triclosan (2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxyldiphenyl ether) on the production of interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-6 was studied in human gingival fibroblasts challenged with tumor necrosis factor a (TNF alpha) in vitro. When gingival fibroblasts were treated simultaneously with triclosan (0.25, 0.5 mu g/ml) and TNF alpha (10 ng/ml), the stimulatory effect of TNF alpha on IL-1 beta production was reduced by the agent. In situ hybridisation showed that the TNF alpha-induced expression of IL-1 beta mRNA was significantly reduced by triclosan. Furthermore, when the cells were treated simultaneously with a known protein kinase C (PKC) activator, phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) and TNF alpha in the presence of triclosan (0.5 mu g/ml), the agent reduced the production of IL-1 beta. In contrast to its effect on IL-1 beta, triclosan did not influence the mRNA expression or the production of IL-6 induced by TNF alpha. The finding that triclosan reduces the production of the inflammatory mediator IL-1 beta in gingival fibroblasts further supports the view that triclosan exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect.