Sulforaphane has opposing effects on TNF-alpha stimulated and unstimulated synoviocytes

Fragoulis A, Laufs J, Müller S, Soppa U, Siegl S, Reiss LK, Tohidnezhad M, Rosen C, Tenbrock K, Varoga D, Lippross S, Pufe T, Wruck CJ · Arthritis Research & Therapy

The same compound did two different things depending on the state of the cell: in resting synoviocytes it activated the protective transcription factor Nrf2, and in TNF-α-stimulated synoviocytes it induced apoptosis. MMP-3 and MMP-9 were not significantly reduced, which is where this study parts company with the chondrocyte literature.

Population

Two immortalised human synoviocyte cell lines, one from a rheumatoid patient, with and without TNF-α pre-treatment

Intervention

Sulforaphane

Comparator

Untreated cells

Limitations

Immortalised cell lines rather than primary synoviocytes, which the authors say needs validating, and a rheumatoid rather than osteoarthritic framing. Funded by the German Research Foundation.