Cyclosporin A inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis of human fibroblasts

Several clinical studies have shown that cyclosporin A (CsA) is effective f or treating a variety of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Beca use reactive oxygen species are believed to play a key role in the developm ent of these diseases, causing cell apoptosis, we investigated whether CsA inhibits H2O2-induced apoptosis. Preincubation of human fibroblasts with Cs A dose-dependently decreased H2O2-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis suppression by CsA was correlated with the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation. Thus, our results suggest that the inhibition of apopto sis by CsA may at least partly contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect o f CsA. (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.