Effects of ebselen and N-acetyl cysteine on replicative aging of primary human fibroblast strains

Administration of selected concentrations of ebselen and N-acetyl cysteine have been proven to display an antioxidant potential based on their effect on markers of T cell integrity and function in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and CD4(+) T cell clones. Here we assessed the impact of various antioxidant concentrations on replicative aging of primary human fibroblast strains derived from embryonic lung (MRC-5) and foreskin (HFF). None of the antioxidant concentrations affected the cumulative population doublings, levels of oxidative DNA damage, intracellular GSH:GSSG ratio, potency of heat shock responses and the induction of senescence in both fibroblast strains. Our results showed no effect of both antioxidants on primary fibroblast strains and reveal their cell type specific antioxidant potential. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12979-015-0035-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.