Effect of thrombin on glycosaminoglycans in fibroblast cultures.

Embryonic rat fibroblasts were incubated with thrombin of different concentrations for 48 hrs. in the absence of calf serum. Cell proliferation was increased in dense cultures only. In low and high density cultures there were increased glucose consumption as well as increased GAG turnover rates and GAG total concentration. In the GAG distribution pattern DS was decreased, but HA was increased in low density and CS in high density cultures. The possible correlation between CS increase and cell proliferation is discussed.--Experiments with plasmin were without stronger effects on the fibroblast cultures.