[Effect of levamisole on in vitro collagen synthesis]

The effect of levamisole on collagen synthesis was studied. Tissue sections of skin of newborn rats were incubated with levamisole 10(-3) M up to 10(-5) M and 15C proline during 2 hours at 37 degrees C. Formation of soluble and insoluble collagen was inhibited only by the 10(-3) M levamisole. No effect was found with lower levamisole concentrations. Likewise an incorporation of 14C proline into collagen and collagen free proteins is inhibited. These results suggest that levamisole has not only its well-known immunostimulating action but also anti-proliferative effects.