[Proliferation of L 929 mouse fibroblasts and their glycosaminoglycan synthesis in monolayer cultures after addition of penicillamine, azathioprine, gold thiopolypeptide, oxyphenbutazone and prednisolone (author's transl)].

L 929 mouse fibroblasts were cultured as monolayers. Proliferation and glycosaminoglycan content in cells and medium were measured, the different glycosaminoglycans fractionated. It was shown that logarithmic cell growth is followed by a stationary phase. Glycosaminoglycan synthesis started later than did cell growth and continued during stationary phase. The glycosaminoglycan pattern changed with the phase of proliferation. All mesenchyma-active substances reduced proliferation and glycosaminoglycan synthesis significantly when added in therapeutical concentrations. The fractionation of the glycosaminoglycans after addition of the exclusively suppressive substances revealed different effectivity on the different components. All substances were directly effective on the connective tissue forming cells as had been expected from clinical experience and former experiments.