Effects of griseofulvin on the morphology, growth and metabolism of fibroblasts in culture

Abstract

Griseofulvin was tested for its effects on the morphology, proliferation and metabolism of fibroblasts cultured from normal human skin and on established lines of mouse fibroblasts 3T3 and 3T6. In all cells treatment produced slight increases in the mitotic index compatible with transient mitotic arrest, but cultures of 3T3 and 3T6 cells also included high proportions (up to 25%) of abnormal multinucleate cells not present in human strains. The proliferation of all cell strains over a 2 or 4 day period was inhibited in proportion to dose (2--17 microgram/ml) with 50% inhibition of growth in the range of 5--11 microgram/ml. Acid mucopolysaccharide secretion was depressed by about 20% at 4--17 microgram/ml. Total protein synthesis was depressed in 3T6 and in human cells, but there was no specific effect on collagen synthesis or secretion.