[Cytopharmacology in fibroblast culture]

Fibroblast cultures represent a particularly valuable model for the study of toxic or pharmacological effects upon collagen metabolism, the clinical expression of disturbances of which, corresponds to the process of fibrosis. The suggested method consists of the following: estimation of toxic concentrations by observation of the inhibition of cell growth and modifications of ultrastructure; a metabolic study corresponding to the measurement of biosynthesis and of the secretion of collagen and non-collagen proteins and determination of the type of collagen synthesized. The model was evaluated experimentally with tobacco smoke extracts and D-penicillamine.