Hair growth
Reduction in undesired sexual hair growth with anandron in male-to-female transsexuals--experiences with a novel androgen receptor blocker.

Asscheman H, Gooren LJ, Peereboom-Wynia JD.

The effect of Anandron, a novel non-steroidal anti-androgen, on the reduction in sexual hair growth of 14 male-to-female transsexuals was investigated. Anandron (300 mg/day) alone for 8 weeks increased serum testosterone levels (mean: 19.2 +/- 6.1 to 44.9 +/- 11.5 mmol/l) and serum oestradiol levels (mean: 0.08 +/- 0.02 to 0.24 +/- 0.06 nmol/l). From Weeks 9 to 20, ethinyloestradiol (100 micrograms/day) was co-administered. Hair growth scores, hair weight and the number of terminal hairs decreased significantly in the first 8 weeks and continued to decrease during the second period in the areas assessed (the trunk and the limbs). In addition, there was a subjective decrease in hair growth on the limbs and the trunk, but not on the face. We suggest that Anandron alone and in conjunction with oestrogens is effective in reducing sexual hair growth on the limbs and the trunk.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2612040&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth



Hair growth
Minoxidil-induced hair growth is mediated by adenosine in cultured dermal papilla cells: possible involvement of sulfonylurea receptor 2B as a target of minoxidil.

Li M, Marubayashi A, Nakaya Y, Fukui K, Arase S.

Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, The University of Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan.

The mechanism by which minoxidil, an adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener, induces hypertrichosis remains to be elucidated. Minoxidil has been reported to stimulate the production of vascular endothelial growth factor, a possible promoter of hair growth, in cultured dermal papilla cells. The mechanism of production of vascular endothelial growth factor remains unclear, however. We hypothesize that adenosine serves as a mediator of vascular endothelial growth factor production. Minoxidil-induced increases in levels of intracellular Ca(2+) and vascular endothelial growth factor production in cultured dermal papilla cells were found to be inhibited by 8-sulfophenyl theophylline, a specific antagonist for adenosine receptors, suggesting that dermal papilla cells possess adenosine receptors and sulfonylurea receptors, the latter of which is a well-known target receptor for adenosine-triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel openers. The expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B and of the adenosine A1, A2A, and A2B receptors was detected in dermal papilla cells by means of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. In order to determine which of the adenosine receptor subtypes contribute to minoxidil-induced hair growth, the effects of subtype-specific antagonists for adenosine receptors were investigated. Significant inhibition in increase in intracellular calcium level by minoxidil or adenosine was observed as the result of pretreatment with 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A1 receptor, but not by 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargyl-xanthine, an antagonist for adenosine A2 receptor, whereas vascular endothelial growth factor production was blocked by both adenosine A1 and A2 receptor antagonists. These results indicate that the effect of minoxidil is mediated by adenosine, which triggers intracellular signal transduction via both adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, and that the expression of sulfonylurea receptor 2B in dermal papilla cells might play a role in the production of adenosine.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11886528&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth



Hair growth
Effects of small peptides or amino acids infused to a perfused area of the skin of Angora goats on mohair growth.

Puchala R, Pierzynowski SG, Wuliji T, Goetsch AL, Sahlu T, Lachica M, Soto-Navarro SA.

E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for Goat Research, Langston University, OK 73050, USA. rpuchala yahoo.com

The effect of infusing dipeptides or their amino acids on mohair growth of Angora goats was investigated using a skin perfusion technique. Seven Angora wethers (average BW 24 +/- 2.5 kg) were implanted bilaterally with silicon catheters into the superficial branches of the deep circumflex iliac artery and vein and carotid artery. The experiment consisted of three 28-d phases. In the first 14 d of Phases 1 and 3, saline was infused into deep circumflex iliac arteries supplying skin and in Phase 2 a mixture of dipeptides (methionine-leucine [Met-Leu], lysine-leucine [Lys-Leu]) was infused into the artery on one side, and free amino acids were administered on the other side. Infusion rates of peptides were 0.85 mg/h Met-Leu and 0.85 mg/h Lys-Leu in 2.4 mL saline. Infusion rates of amino acids were 0.474 mg/h Lys, 0.483 mg/h Met, and 0.743 mg/h Leu in 2.4 mL saline. A 100-cm2 area within the perfused region was used to determine mohair growth. Two weeks after the cessation of infusions, perfused areas were shorn. Clean mohair production from the dipeptide- and amino acids-perfused regions were similar (4.21 vs 4.35 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d], respectively; P > 0.05). However, clean mohair production during dipeptides and amino acids infusions was greater (P < 0.01) than that observed during saline infusions (3.63 g/[100 cm2 +/- 28 d]). There were no significant differences between dipeptides and free amino acids in concentrations of various hormones and metabolites in blood from deep circumflex iliac veins (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the studied small dipeptides and amino acids similarly increased mohair fiber growth, presumably through supplying limiting amino acids directly to the fiber follicle.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12002317&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth



Hair growth
Effect of latanoprost on hair growth in the bald scalp of the stump-tailed macacque: a pilot study.

Uno H, Zimbric ML, Albert DM, Stjernschantz J.

Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Centre, School of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. huno4 attbi.com

Latanoprost, a selective FP prostanoid receptor agonist used in the treatment of glaucoma, has a hypertrichotic side effect. Using the macaque model of androgenetic alopecia, we examined the effect of latanoprost on hair growth. Eight monkeys were divided into 2 groups; one group received a daily topical application of 50 microg/ml of latanoprost for 5 months; a control group had a daily application of vehicle. For an additional 3 months, 2 monkeys from each group were given 500 microg/ml latanoprost, while the remaining monkeys continued with the previous treatment. Hair growth was evaluated by monthly photographs and phototricho-graphic analysis. Fifty microg/ml of latanoprost caused minimal hair growth. Latanoprost at 500 microg/ml induced moderate to marked hair regrowth with 5-10% conversion of vellus hairs to intermediary or terminal hairs. The vehicle group showed no effect. Further evaluation of latanoprost as an agent for treatment of human androgenetic alopecia is indicated.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12013211&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth



Hair growth
Distribution of two basement membrane proteoglycans through hair follicle development and the hair growth cycle in the rat.

Couchman JR, King JL, McCarthy KJ.

Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, University of Alabama, Birmingham.

The distribution of two distinct populations of basement membrane proteoglycans has been monitored through hair growth development in the rat embryo and subsequent hair growth cycle. An antiserum against a small heparan sulfate proteoglycan uniformly stained the dermal-epidermal junction of embryonic rats throughout the period of hair follicle formation. On the other hand, monoclonal antibodies recognizing a basement membrane-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan only weakly stained 16-d embryo dermal-epidermal junction, but strong staining was associated with hair follicle buds as they developed. Through the hair growth cycle, it was found that the heparan sulfate proteoglycan persisted around the follicles, while the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan decreased in amount through catagen until it was undetectable at the base and dermal papilla of the telogen follicle. As anagen commenced, expression of the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan was again demonstrated. It therefore appears that a basement membrane-specific proteoglycan shows variation in its distribution in rat skin, expression correlating with morphogenetic activity in hair follicles. It is possible that this newly described basement membrane component is involved in the complex processes of dermal-epidermal interaction that lead to skin appendage formation and growth.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1688599&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth



Hair growth
Effects of 17-beta-estradiol and ICI 182 780 on hair growth in various strains of mice.

Smart RC, Oh HS, Chanda S, Robinette CL.

Molecular and Cellular Toxicology, Department of Toxicology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7633, USA. rcsmart unity.ncsu.edu

17-beta-Estradiol (10 nmol per 200 microl acetone) applied topically twice weekly to the clipped dorsal surface of C57BL/6 or C3H female mouse skin prevented hair growth, as previously described in the CD-1 mouse strain. Twice weekly topical application of the estrogen receptor antagonist, ICI 182 780 (10nmol per 200microl acetone), induced the telogenanagen transition and produced early pigmentation appearance in skin and hair growth in C57BL/6 and C3H female mice. Whereas twice weekly topical application of 10nmol 17-beta-estradiol blocked hair growth, the intraperitoneal administration of this dose twice weekly did not block hair growth, suggesting a direct cutaneous effect of 17-beta-estradiol. We also evaluated the effect of 17-alpha-estradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, and ICI 182 780 on hair growth in male mice. As observed in female mice, 17-beta-estradiol was a potent inhibitor of hair growth and ICI 182 780 stimulated hair growth; however, unlike the results previously observed in female mice, 17-alpha-estradiol was a potent inhibitor of hair growth in male mice. These results demonstrate that (i) the route of administration of 17-beta-estradiol is critical for its ability to block hair growth; (ii) C57BL/6 and C3H mice, two commonly employed mouse strains for hair growth studies, responded to 17-beta-estradiol and ICI 182 780 in a manner similar to that described in CD-1 mice; and (iii) the hair follicles of male and female mice respond similarly to 17-beta-estradiol and ICI 182 780, but display striking sex differences in the response to 17-alpha-estradiol on hair growth.

Online pharmacy ref source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10674383&dopt=Abstract alopecia, hair loss hair growth