Anabolic potential of bone mineral in human periosteal fibroblasts using steroid markers of healing

► Deproteinized bone mineral has specific anabolic potential in periosteal fibroblasts. ► Specific AR mediated actions in response to finasteride are validated by minocycline. ► AR mediated specificity is relevant to actions of deproteinized bone matrix in vitro. ► Results are interpreted in the context of androgen metabolites as markers of healing. ► Utilization of two androgen substrates validates similar responses to testing agents.