Suppression of Fibroblast Proliferation and Lysyl Hydroxylase Activity by Minoxidil
September 1987
in “
Journal of Biological Chemistry
”
TLDR Minoxidil slows fibroblast growth and collagen production, potentially treating keloids, hypertrophic scars, and connective tissue disorders.
A study from 35 years ago found that minoxidil inhibits fibroblast proliferation and lysyl hydroxylase activity, which is involved in collagen synthesis. The drug did not affect cell viability or protein synthesis, but it did reduce the incorporation of tritiated thymidine into DNA. The study suggests that minoxidil may have potential as a treatment for conditions related to excessive fibroblast proliferation, such as keloids and hypertrophic scars, and may also be useful in treating connective tissue disorders associated with fibroblast hyperproliferation and collagen accumulation.
