| pubmed-article:2062552 | pubmed:abstractText | The effect of procyanidole oligomers (PCOs) on the morphology of cultured human skin fibroblasts (FB) and swine aorta smooth muscle cells (SMC) was studied. Exposure to PCOs induced dose-dependent changes in the size, shape and arrangement of cultured fibroblasts. Smooth muscle cells did not exhibit similar changes. These findings demonstrate that procyanidole oligomers interact with fibroblasts membrane and cytoskeletal constituents. With smooth muscle cells the main site of action of procyanidole oligomers may be the basement membrane surrounding the cells, which is lacking in fibroblasts. Thus, in addition to their action on extracellular matrix constituents, i.e., collagen and elastin fibers, procyanidole oligomers affect structural components of cells, i.e., the cell membrane and cytoskeleton. This twofold action of procyanidole oligomers on mesenchymatous cells and their extracellular matrix may be a significant component of the pharmacologic action of procyanidole oligomers. | lld:pubmed |
