The effect of minoxidil on endothelial cells in vitro

Minoxidil - a therapeutic agent used in the control of hypertension and which has been implicated in modulation of hair follicle activity - has been shown to influence certain aspects of the physiology of cultured endothelial cells. It suspends cell proliferation in a reversible manner, appears to influence cell morphology in a dose dependent way, does not significantly alter (qualitatively) protein synthesis and does not inhibit cell migration. These results demonstrate similarities between endothelial cells and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts and differences between endothelial cells and dermal papilla cells, follicular root sheath fibroblasts and neutrophils in their response to this agent.