BACKGROUND: Heparin decreases dermal fibroblast proliferation and collagen production according to several studies. Heparin may mediate these effects by altering the levels of growth factors such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1). This study sought to delineate the effect of heparin on proliferation and bFGF and TGF-ß1 production by human normal, keloid, and fetal dermal fibroblasts. MATERIAL/METHODS: Human normal, keloid, and fetal dermal fibroblasts were propagated in a serum-free in vitro model, with exposure to 0 ug/ml, 50 ug/ml, 300 ug/ml, or 600 ug/ml heparin for 0, 24, 72, or 96 hours. Cell counts were determined by phase contrast microscopy. Levels of bFGF and TGF-ß1 in the supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Heparin inhibited keloid and fetal fibroblast proliferation. All doses of heparin significantly stimulated production of bFGF by normal (341% to 1137% increase), keloid (237% to 1955% increase), and fetal fibroblasts (292% to 1866% increase) at all time points (p

Keywords: Fetus - metabolism, Keloid - drug therapy, Keloid - metabolism, Keloid - pathology