Minoxidil Exerts Different Inhibitory Effects on Gene Expression of Lysyl Hydroxylase 1, 2, and 3: Implications for Collagen Cross-Linking and Treatment of Fibrosis

The study investigated the effects of minoxidil on gene expression of lysyl hydroxylases (LH) and collagen cross-linking, which are involved in fibrosis. The researchers found that minoxidil inhibited the expression of LH1, LH2b, and LH3, with the most significant effect on LH1. Minoxidil had the potential to decrease hydroxyallysine cross-link formation, which suggests that it could be used as an anti-fibrosis therapy. The study used fibroblast cultures from healthy dermis, subcutaneous fat, and keloid, and analyzed gene expression using quantitative real-time PCR.