The effects of colchicine and its derivates on the collagen biosynthesis in vitro

Recent evidence shows that colchicine decreases collagen production and favourably influences some fibroproductive processes in experimental animal and clinical practice. In our study we investigated the influence of two colchicine derivates--demecolcine and desacetylcolchiceine--on the synthesis of collagen and non-collagen proteins in new born rat skin after the incubation of tissues slices with 14C-proline for 2 h. Collagen was separated in fractions soluble in either 0.45 M NaCl or 2% semi-carbazide that in an insoluble residue. Demecolcine (10(-3)--5.10(-5) M), desacetylcolchiceine (10(-2)--5.10(-4) M), as well as colchicine (10(-4)-10(-6)), inhibited the synthesis of soluble collagen, depending on the drug concentration in the incubation media. Higher concentrations of tested agents also decreased the formation of insoluble collagen. Significant inhibition of non-collagen protein synthesis was ascertained only in the presence of desacetylcolchiceine.