Background: Clinical studies have shown that ointment containing dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (DBcAMP) promotes wound healing.
Objectives: We aimed to elucidate the mechanisms of the beneficial effect of DBcAMP in wound healing.
Methods: An investigation was made of the effects of DBcAMP on in vitro cytokine release from cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts derived from normal human skin.
Results: DBcAMP stimulated keratinocyte proliferation through increased interleukin (IL)-6 production by fibroblasts, and transiently enhanced production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 by fibroblasts at an early stage of incubation. DBcAMP also stimulated fibroblast proliferation, resulting in further increases in IL-6 and TGF-beta1.
Conclusions: We conclude that this series of stimulative actions on cytokine secretion, together with the facilitation of cell proliferation, contribute to the effects of DBcAMP on the healing of skin ulcers.